From our Principal

Our Commitment to Action: Catholic Identity 

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

Water from the Rock #32 

Wherever the followers of Marcellin are present, working together in mission, this “family spirit” is the Marist way of communal living.  Its well-spring is the love that Jesus has for all his brothers and sisters – all of humanity.  Through this spirit we offer an experience of belonging and union in mission. (Water from the Rock #32) 

In the footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat, Marists in mission, in the Church and in the world, present among children and young people, especially those least favoured, we are sowers of the Good News with a distinctive Marist style in our educational ministries. 

Positive Community Feedback – It is so Important to Celebrate the Good 

“I am writing as I had a lovely experience when I was shopping in Coles this Week. One of the self-serve support workers noticed my logo on my work top and stopped me for a chat. She recently had a relief shift on the crossing just down from Marist-Sion and wanted me to pass on that all of the Marist-Sion students who went over the crossing that day were courteous, friendly and many wished her a good day, some even went so far as to thank her for her work! Notably their uniforms were clean and smart. She was very insistent that her comments be passed on as she has worked many crossings in the area and the behaviour/ manners of our students was well above her expectations and made her day. What a lovely chance meeting, I was so chuffed! Please ensure that as many people hear about this as possible. It’s so important to celebrate the good!.” 

Father James Wall Bursary Leadership Achievement Award – Congratulations Jemma Maloney  

Jemma Maloney (Year 10 – Joseph House) was selected as one of seven students across Australia to receive the Father James Wall Bursary Leadership Achievement Award.  Jemma’s nomination demonstrated her skills and attributes worthy of the Award.  Father Wall was a visionary with grand dreams and plans who shared his gifts and talents with others; a great pastor and a brilliant leader. The $5,000 Father James Wall Bursary Leadership Achievement Award will be provided through the sponsorship of the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) to assist with school fees and other expenses incurred whilst you undertake Years 11 and 12 at Marist-Sion College and a cheque for this amount will be provided to the College from CDF. 

Zaria Dalton (Year 8 – Lourdes House) Athletics Success 

Zaria as a 2x State Champion in the 14-15 Years Girls 100m.  This past week, Zaria has taken the track world by storm: winning the Athletics Victoria All-Schools 100m title! At the 2024 School Sport Victoria State Secondary Track & Field Championships, Zaria also won:

• Gold in both the 100m & 200m, making her a double SSV Champion! 
• A Silver in the 400m 
• 6th in both Long Jump & the 4 x 100m Relay 

Old Collegian Mentors Required 

Past students of Marist-Sion College, Warragul, are invited to share their experiences of further study and career pathways with our Senior students. 

If you are interested in taking up these opportunities as they arise, to provide support for our students as they navigate their own pathways, including participating in the Mentor Breakfast in 2025, please contact Mrs Elly Martin (Careers and Pathways Leader) via email: emartin@mscw.vic.edu.au. 

The first of these breakfasts will be held on Wednesday 4 June 2025 at 9.15am. 

50th Anniversary Celebrations

50 Year Celebration Performance Evening 

In June next year, we will host a 50 Year Celebration Performance Evening at the West Gippsland Arts Centre. This event will showcase and celebrate the creativity, talent, and giftedness of our community over the past five decades. 

Early next year, we will contact our talented past and present students and staff – to take part in this memorable evening. 

Significant Women's Morning Tea 

We are delighted to invite you to join us for our upcoming Significant Women's Morning Tea – a special event celebrating the remarkable contributions of the women in our students' lives. 

This morning is an opportunity to come together, share stories, and enjoy refreshments in the company of our community.  We are yet to finalise the guest speaker who will share inspiring insights and experiences that celebrate the unique role women play in shaping the future. 

Significant Men's Morning Tea 

We are delighted to invite you to join us for our upcoming Significant Men's Morning Tea – a special event celebrating the remarkable contributions of the men in our students' lives. 

This morning is an opportunity to come together, share stories, and enjoy refreshments in the company of our community.  We are honoured to have a guest speaker who will share inspiring insights and experiences that celebrate the unique role women play in shaping the future. 

Robert “Bob” Murphy 

Selected at number 13 in the 1999 AFL Draft from Gippsland Power and the Warragul Football Netball Club, Bob went on to be an icon of the modern game and the Western Bulldogs.  After debuting as a very skinny 17-year-old he went on to play 312 games and captain the Bulldogs.  He tragically (in a football sense), as captain, missed their 62-year drought breaking premiership in 2016 with a knee injury but was an integral part of their leadership and culture leading to that victory. Silky skilled on both sides of his body, quick and versatile as an under-sized key forward or half-back. During and post AFL, Bob started a successful media career writing for the Age and starring with Andy Maher on radio at SEN on their afternoon drive show. Bob has now moved with his wife Justine (also a Marist-Sion College student) and family to Perth as the Head of High Performance at the Fremantle Dockers. 

Western Bulldogs captain: 2015 – 2017 

2 x All-Australian Team: 2011, 2015 (Captain) 

AFLPA Captain of the Year: 2015 

Mr Christian Bertacco – Permission to Teach 

Mr Christian Bertacco received his permission to teach last week. Christian has started taking classes which is very good news for the students he is teaching. Congratulations Christian! 

Mrs Siobhan Ware – Graduate Diploma 

Mrs Siobhan Ware recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing at Flinders University. Congratulations Siohban! 

Mrs Renee Frescura – Accreditation to Teach Religious Education or Lead in a Catholic School  

Mrs Renee Frescura gained her Accreditation to Teach Religious Education or Lead in a Catholic School. Congratulations Renee! 

2025 Pre-service Teacher Placement Grant Program for eligible Catholic Schools in Victoria 

The Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) in partnership with Catholic school proprietors across the state is launching a Pre-service Teacher Placement Grant Program (Grant) to support pre-service teacher (PST) placements in eligible Catholic schools in 2025.  The Program will run from 28 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.  The Catholic sector wants to ensure the next generation of teachers are supported to consider placement within Catholic schools in the identified areas. Eligibility reflects the approach taken by the state government with its placement grants.  Payment rates and location classifications match those offered for completing a pre-service teacher placement in an eligible Victorian government school. 

Marist-Sion College is an eligible school for the Grant. A PST undertaking a placement at our school will be eligible for a grant payment of $280 per day. 

Teaching Excellence Award 

The College will present a Teaching Excellence Award at Presentation Evening this year. The Award recognises a teacher from the College whose classroom practice has purposefully enacted each element of the strategic plan and significantly influenced student achievement. Mr Chris Senini has recently returned from a Marist Formation Experience Ecology of the Heart as last year’s awardee. 

30 Years – Alumni Welcome Back  

Last weekend, we welcomed back the Class of 1994. Former College Captain, Mrs Maryclaire Patterson later wrote to me to say: 

“We can’t thank you enough for allowing us to do a school tour for a 30 year reunion. The people that showed up couldn’t believe how much School had grown so once again thank you for allowing us to do this and fitting into what I know is your crazy time of the year” 

Our Commitment to Action: Learning and Teaching 

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

VCE Exam Audit – Congratulations 

On Monday, our Year 12 and Year 11 Accelerated students sat their Unit 3/4 Trial Exams. 

Students completed an exam for each subject they study in a setting that models the end of year VCE exams, including venue setup, conditions, and external invigilators. Students studying Unit 3/4 subjects engaged with these valuable opportunities to test their knowledge well. 

Year 9 Paddock to Plate – Congratulations 

In its second semester, our Year 9 Paddock to Plate elective students have been growing, harvesting and cooking with a range of ingredients from the MSCW paddock. They worked on a design task that to showcase a hero ingredient from the paddock onto the plate. Yesterday, we enjoyed a range of sweet and savoury options and it was awesome to witness how proud the students were of the dish they served up. 

NetSupport 

We are committed to protecting children and young people from risk of abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm; preventing impairment of children and young people’s health or development and ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care. 

We are currently trialing NetSupport to create and maintain safe learning environments for children and young people, and developing children’s understanding, awareness and resilience through the Wellbeing curriculum. 

NetSupport products will help with this in a variety of ways and their software will help us to meet our Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) requirements. 

Student Lenovo 13w Yoga Gen 2 

The Lenovo 13w Yoga Gen 2 passed all rigour the team put it through, and have recommended this for purchase.  “The Lenovo 13w Yoga Gen 2 (13″ AMD) 2-in-1 is built for all the ways educators or students create, share, or grade content. Features include a WUXGA IPS touchscreen display, front-facing Dolby® speakers, and an FHD webcam with privacy shutter. Optional extras include a 5MP world-facing camera and garaged stylus.  A 360-degree hinge transforms this laptop to whatever’s needed for the task at hand – take notes in tablet mode, watch a video in stand or tent mode, and/or work in laptop mode.”  All student feedback on these devices through various feedback forums has been overwhelmingly positive. 

Showcase Evening – LEAP Passion Projects and Performing Arts 

I note how well attended the evening was and how proud the students were of their work. Also, I saw the Director’s Cut of the video that was produced on the night – it is FABULOUS! 

The LEAP Passion Projects on show each had a unique focus that spoke to the individual interest areas of students. I learnt much about Barbie over the years, Japanese Trips, music videos and much, much more. 

LEAP Students in Sporting Style at the MCG!

On the 24 October, our LEAP students wrapped up their final excursion of the year with an unforgettable visit to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This trip marked a fitting end to a year focused on excellence, drawing inspiration from the spirit and achievements of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics

During a guided tour of the MCG, students were immersed in the rich history of Australian sport, learning about the dedication and resilience that drive athletic success. Adding to the excitement, they met Stacie Hymer, the renowned Taekwondo athlete who represented Australia in both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. Stacie shared insights from her journey as an elite athlete, sparking inspiration and admiration in all who attended.

The students also had a fantastic time exploring the interactive exhibits of the Melbourne Sports Museum, which allowed them to dive deeper into the legacy of Australian sporting excellence.

Looking ahead, we now prepare for the LEAP Showcase of Passion Projects on the 7th of November, where students will present their diligent work and creativity to the community. This year has been full of growth and memorable experiences, and the MCG excursion was the perfect way to celebrate the achievements of 2024!

Special thanks to the following staff members who helped facilitate this experience. Amanda Lee, Sharryn Marshall, Carly Kitchingman, Courtney Baker and Alison McDougal. 

SSV Intermediate Boys Cricket – State Runners Up 

Congratulations to our SSV Intermediate Boys Cricket – State Runners Up. 

Re-Engagement through Active Learning (REAL) Program 

The Re-Engagement through Active Learning (REAL) Program launched on Wednesday 21 August 2024 with five young men from Year 7 and 8. The young men work in the Agriculture and Horticulture Centre, completing hands-on learning activities to re-engage them in the classroom. This is a practical program that builds wellbeing, engagement, and attendance by creating opportunities for students to discover their talents and experience success through significant and authentic hands-on projects. Mr Ben Gaze (Applied Learning Leader) is championing the program is keen to share the program’s successes. 

Senior Leaders Workshop – Our Data – Our Impact 

Our Senior Leaders have spent time in Term 4 looking at Our Data and Impact across all five priority areas. There are many positive improvements in our whole school data across a range of measures. Pleasingly, these were most evident across the Assessing Wellbeing in Education (AWE) data. 

Our Commitment to Action: Child Safety 

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

Year 9 Camp 

Feedback from staff on the Year 9 Camp was positive. Overall, 72% of students engaged in the program. Mr Hayden Susigan put in a power of work to support the program and so many students spoke with great enthusiasm about the experience when I welcomed the buses back on the Thursday. 

Consent and Respectful Relationships Education – Principal Focus Group 

I am participating in the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) principal focus group related to Consent and Respectful Relationships.  The aim of this focus groups is to explore the Consent and Respectful Relationships Curriculum with leaders of Catholic primary and secondary schools.  This group will work towards identifying specific needs, challenges and opportunities in Catholic school communities that can inform the development of future tools, resources and materials. 

Child Safety Champions 

Our Child Safety Champions are available to answer any questions that you may have with respect to our Child Protection and Safety Policy and the Child Protection Program. 

Child Safety Champions are selected based on a number of considerations, namely: 

their personal attitudes, experiences and beliefs, for example, a person who is non-judgmental, calm, resilient and demonstrates a high degree of integrity and respect for confidentiality; their role within the College, for example, a person who has seniority and experience working with complex student and family issues at the College and someone who is readily accessible and available to all members of the College community; and 

their personal profile within the College, for example, a person who is approachable, who students and staff trust and who is willing and able to respond to issues personally and sensitively. 

• Ms Lisa Harkin Principal 
• Mrs Jacinta Johnston Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity and Mission 
• Mr Daniel Nisbet Deputy Principal – Wellbeing Partnerships and Safety 
• Mrs Joanna John Director of Counselling – Psychologist 

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. 

College Master Plan 

Regular Master Planning Meetings are held with architects Williams Ross Architects.  We look forward to incorporating Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) feedback into the forward-thinking design concepts that align with the College's vision. 

Increased Social Media Presence – Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn 

Our Marketing and Promotions Team have actively worked to increase our social media presence across a variety of platforms, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.  This will provide us with a means to enhance communication with students and families and celebrate student success. We see these additional platforms as forums to stay in contact with our alumni as well. 

Staff Leaving in 2024 

At the end of the year, we will farewell the following staff: 

• Fiona Dyball (Classroom Teacher) 
• Allyra Greening (Learning Leader – Performing Arts) 
• Robert Liang (Classroom Teacher) 
• Therese Main (Classroom Teacher) 
• Michal Moser (Classroom Teacher) 
• Tim Morrison (Deputy Principal – Student Learning Culture and Growth) 
• Lesley O’Reilly (Learning Leader – Humanities) 
• Stephanie Rogan (Wellbeing Learning and Data Leader) 
• Jennie Sia (Classroom Teacher) 
• Tegan Svetina (Classroom Teacher) 
• Ruan van Aswegen (Classroom Teacher) 

Staff Commencing in 2025 

At the beginning of next year, we will welcome the following staff: 

• Brianna Copeland (Classroom Teacher) 
• Lachlan Ramage (Classroom Teacher) 
• Raj Siva (Classroom Teacher) 
• Alysoun Smalley (Classroom Teacher) 
• Richard van Rensberg (Classroom Teacher) 
• Andrew Williams (Classroom Teacher) 

Induction of Position of Leadership (POL) Holders 

Our aspiration is to ensure Marist-Sion College leaders are confident and engaged within a cohesive and aligned leadership team. Over the course of 2024, we have developed a leadership structure to enable our Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP). Our induction plan will form and develop impactful leaders who create the conditions, and build the culture, in which expert teachers are developed and all students experience an accelerated rate of progress over time. We are excited by this work. 

Right to Disconnect 

Effective from 26 August 2024, the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) introduced a high-level workplace right for employees to disconnect from communication received outside of their working hours, unless the refusal is unreasonable. 

This means staff members (e.g. teachers and non-teaching staff, and DOSCEL Secretariat staff) have the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact or attempted contact from principals, school leaders and/or DOSCEL managers, and third parties (where work related) outside of their working hours unless the refusal by the staff member is unreasonable. 

The new right does not mean that principals and DOSCEL managers cannot contact staff members outside their normal working hours, if required. However, consistent with already established expectations operating in schools, regard should always be given to why the after-hours contact is being made and whether the staff member with whom contact is being made is expected to be reasonably available to respond. 

We had already made changes with our communication protocols and email signature blocks to prepare for these laws, but I thought I would highlight them for your reference. 

Ms Lisa Harkin

Principal