From our Principal

Heritage Day 

Heritage Day Mass

On Heritage Day, we gathered to honour the legacy of our past. Our commitment to education and service continues to inspire us to nurture a community where faith, love and learning flourish. It was wonderful having Father Brendan Hogan celebrate Mass with our community and parishioners.

Heritage Day Guest Speaker – Laura Jenkinson (Class of 2014)

On Heritage Day, we were joined by Laura Jenkinson (Class of 2014). Laura is a former SRC Captain (2013) and whilst at Marist-Sion College was involved in REMAR (now Game Changers).

Heritage Day at Marist-Sion College is a significant event that allows us to celebrate our rich history, honour our traditions, and inspire our current students by showcasing the achievements and journeys of our Old Collegians.

We were honoured to include a special address from a respected Old Collegian, whose journey through Marist-Sion College and beyond serves as a testament to the values; truth charity and constancy we strive to instill in our students.

Laura graduated from Marist-Sion College ten years ago and pursued her passion for understanding human behaviour by studying Psychology at Monash University. Today, Laura works in Incident and Crisis Management and Business Resilience at Westpac Group, ensuring the organisation is prepared for and can effectively respond to various disruptions.

Outside of her full-time role, Laura is part of several entrepreneurial circles and is dedicated to creating ongoing income streams for her future. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to found "Find Your Tribe Melbourne," a thriving community focused on hosting friendship-making and networking events. Through this initiative, Laura fosters connections and creates opportunities for individuals to build meaningful relationships and grow their networks.

Laura’s journey from the halls of Marist-Sion College to her current multifaceted career is a reflection of pursuing growth, seizing opportunities, and getting outside her comfort zone.

Passing of Chevelle Ava Purdon (Year 7)

As we gathered for the Heritage Day Mass, a delegation of staff and students went to Frankston, to be with Chevelle’s parents – Vanessa, Anthony and her little sister – Savanna for Chevelle’s funeral.

During our Mass, I asked that the community remember Chevelle and pray for her family and friends at this time of sadness and grief. Chevelle was a great friend to those who knew her. She is fondly remembered as a valued member of 7F and Marcellin 4 – someone who was kind, always smiling with a great zest for life. 

During Mass, we remembered that we are always in the presence of God – a God who mourns with us; a God who welcomes Chevelle with love; a God who gives comfort and strength. Last week, Vanessa said to me, “We appreciate all the care and support we’ve received from Marist-Sion. We are proud of the person Chevelle became and happy she was able to experience Year 7 Camp this year. Chevelle was forming her own village and tribe and loved her time here.”

We recognised the presence of God with us in each other and be of comfort and support to one another.

The Marist-Sion Heart was symbol of our Marist heritage. It served as a reminder of the close bonds of friendship, solidarity, and family spirit that exist within our Marist community.

2024 Sion Leaders and Friends Gathering – Saturday 17 August 2024 – Rev Dr Garry Deverell 

On Saturday 17 August 2024, I attended the 2024 Sion Leaders and Friends Gathering. The event focused on Justice and the Integrity of Creation: Christ and Country in Dialogue. We were very lucky to work with Rev Dr Garry Deverell, an Aboriginal Christian and noted theologian. His groundbreaking work explored indigenous knowledge, cosmologies and theologies in dialogue with the colonial Christian story of this land. He preached, “We all knit together in kinship networks of reciprocity and care. We live in a patterned cosmos of earth, air, fire and waterways.”

Marist Cricket Carnival

Team selection for the Marist Cricket Carnival will be held in Term 3 and 4. The competition will involve students from Marist-Sion College, Warragul competing against schools from across Australia.

Marist Connect Night

Our next Marist Connect Night is happening 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. Held once every term, the Marist Connect Nights focus on a topical theme (justice, environment, discipleship, Marist spirituality), concluding with a prayer and meal together. They strengthen relationships and Marist ties among our senior students.

50 Years Celebrations Planning Committee

The 50 Years Planning Committee has regularly met to plan for elements to support our 50 Years Celebrations such as:

• Timeline for implementation 
• College Masses and Liturgies
• Old collegian engagement
• Current collegian engagement
• College grounds as a forum for shared stories
• Catholic identity markers
• Marketing and promotions
• Communications
• Child safety

Year 11 Retreat

The Year 11 Retreat was held from Monday 19 August to Wednesday 21 August 2024. The program, facilitated by the Passionists was well received by the Year 11 students. Read more

Assessing Wellbeing in Education (AWE) Survey

Today, students and staff were invited to undertake the Assessing Wellbeing in Education (AWE) Survey to assess their wellbeing: experiences, feelings, functioning and perceptions of how their life is going – both what is going right, and what is going wrong. The core assessment investigated four main domains:

• A global assessment of your wellbeing
• An assessment of the different domains of your life
• An assessment of school wellbeing
• An assessment of component factors underpinning your wellbeing

Assessing Wellbeing in Education (AWE) present the results with a range of graph types with explanations to help staff and students to understand where they are at now, and what has changed over time since previous assessments. Read More

Live4Life Crew Day

On Tuesday 6 August 2024, eight students went to the Live4Life Crew Day. Our students joined other student crews from local schools to plan for events around Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Teen Mental Health First Aid Program. The day was facilitated by the Baw Baw Shire.

Staff News

2024 MSA Footsteps 1: Making Jesus Christ Known and Loved Program

Mr Shane Stiles (Business Manager) attended the 2024 MSA Footsteps 1: Making Jesus Christ Known and Loved program from Sunday 18 – Wednesday 21 August 2024.

Tegan Svetina – Representing Australia at the Dodgeball Championships

Ms Tegan Svetina (Classroom Teacher) is currently representing Australia at the Dodgeball Championships.

Deacon Mark Kelly – Featured in the Warragul Gazette

Deacon Mark Kelly has released an autobiography covering his varied and colourful experiences over the past 72 years. This was featured in this edition of the Warragul Gazette. Link: 2103431434_20250820.pdf (isentia.com)

Giulia Marcolin – Welcomes Baby Archie Thomas Grogan

Archie Thomas Grogan was born on the Tuesday 6 August 2024 at 8.13am. Mrs Giulia Marcolin (College Receptionist) and her partner have been “loving every second of him being earth side. Archie is just perfect. The Dogs are equally obsessed we are all currently soaking in the newborn bubble.” Giulia gave permission for me to share these photos with all staff. We are so happy for you Giulia. Welcome Archie Thomas Grogan!

Brooke and Aaron Hollier – Welcome Baby Jack Aaron Hollier

Brooke and Aaron Hollier welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world. Brooke and Aaron are over the moon and wrote: “A beautiful baby boy! Jack Aaron Hollier born on Thursday 25 July 2024 at 3.15pm weighing 8.5 pounds. Axel and Lucy are so proud!”

Hannah Derksen – VIT Registration

Ms Hannah Derksen (Classroom Teacher) moved from provisional to full registration as a teacher following review of her portfolio recently. Hannah’s portfolio looked at the use of rubrics for assessment.

Our Commitment to Action: Learning and Teaching

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

Navigating the Victorian Curriculum F – 10 Version 2.0 – Curriculum Change

Education is always evolving, and right now, we are planning for the Victorian Curriculum F – 10 Version 2.0. We held a very successful Curriculum Planning Day on Wednesday 14 August 2024.

The Victorian Curriculum F – 10 Version 2.0 aims to give students the best opportunity to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It reflects teacher feedback, making planning, assessing, and reporting on student learning easier. The structure remains discipline-based, with enduring and dynamic learning areas, capabilities, and cross-curriculum perspectives.

Re-Engagement through Active Learning (REAL) Program

The Re-Engagement through Active Learning (REAL) Program will launch on Wednesday 21 August 2024 with five young men from Year 7 and 8. The young men will 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.

Cows Create Careers Senior Gippsland Champions

Marist-Sion College students were named the Cows Create Careers Senior Gippsland Champions. These students will represent our College at the Cows Create Careers Nationals towards the end of the year. Amazing effort!

Year 9 Paddock to Plate Success

In Semester 1, our MSCW Year 9 Paddock to Plate class prepared a spectacular morning tea for their final assessment. Their brief was to “hero” an ingredient from our College paddock on a plate.

Throughout the semester, they explored a range of fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, and meat products from our College’s Agriculture and Horticulture Learning Area. Our students grew, harvested, and cooked with the freshest produce, even preserving food items like passata, relish and dried fruit.

The morning tea was a huge success, showcasing the incredible talents and hard work of our students. Mr Chris Senini (Classroom Teacher) and Mrs Hannah Smith (Classroom Teacher) were the dedicated staff who supported the students with their learning.

Violence is Never OK – Outcomes of a Coward Punch

Earlier in the Term our Year 9 and 10 cohort attended a presentation from the Pat Cronin Foundation. This session reinforced the message that violence is not acceptable behaviour across our College. Students looked at social violence, the irreversible effects this can have on a life, and the impact this has on family and friends. Students developed an awareness of strategies to defuse conflict to assist both themselves and their friends to make wise choices. Students will also be challenged to think about what triggers their own anger and steps they can take to self-regulate and return to a calmer state.

College Production – High School Musical

In August, we staged another high-quality College Production, High School Musical to sellout shows from Thursday 1 August to Saturday 3 August 2024. Throughout the experience of co-creating the College Production, students enjoyed learning alongside (and with) the trusted adults that are our Performing Arts Team. I would like to extend my thanks to the Directors for their leadership, teamwork and creativity which is reflective of the spirit of our Marist-Sion College community.

• Mr Flynn Francis (Director)
• Mr Harrison McConnell (Director and Lighting Design Technician)
• Mrs Jillian Lawrence (Musical Director)
• Ms Allyra Greening (Stage Manager) and Mr Harrison McConnell (Assistant Director and Lighting Design Technician)

Thanks also to the staff who have supported us with Front of House, Back Stage, Dance, Set Design and Construction, Costumes, Hair and Make-up, Lighting, Sound and Marketing

Children’s Book Council of Australia – Book Week

Book Week is an exciting time of the year for celebrating books and reading and the benefits and joy it can bring to everyone, young and old. Some of the physical and mental benefits with consistent reading are.

• Reduces Stress
• Exercises the Brain
• Adds to your Vocabulary
• Develops Empathy
• Improves Memory
• New Knowledge
• Gives Joy

Reading and enjoying books is the first step towards improved learning, growth and happiness. Mrs Donna Davidson (Library Assistant) has invited students to come to the library and help us celebrate Book Week by telling us about a favourite book.

Year 9 First Aid Training

On Thursday 29 August, Year 9 students will complete their First Aid Training.

Latest Career Newsletter

The July Careers Newsletter is available via this link.

Positions available: Energy Australia Fitting Apprenticeship, Gippsport Sports Development Trainee, Southern Ridge Electrical Apprenticeship, Soul Sisters Cafe (Weekend), Powercor Apprenticeships, Coffee Pod Cafe, Kmart.

Year 12 English Students – Final School Assessed Coursework (SAC)

Year 12 English students will complete their final English SAC on Thursday 12 September 2024.

Subject Selection Complete

All students have now completed their Subject Selection. This will enable us to develop the grid and timetable to staff.

Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies

In late July, our Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students embarked on an incredible adventure in Baw Baw National Park! They hiked through snowy trails and camped under the stars, turning their classroom knowledge into real-world experience while also learning valuable lessons about outdoor sustainability and safety. It was an unforgettable journey for Ms Kate Davine (Classroom Teacher) and her students!

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.

Team Teach De-escalation Training Information

Three more staff will complete the Positive Behaviour support Level One Training. The six hour training is aimed at staff working in low-risk service settings, which includes mainstream primary and secondary schools. It equips individuals with simple de-escalation strategies to deal with challenging behaviour.

• Values
• Understanding Emotions and Behaviours
• Personal Space
• Help Scripts
• The Conflict Spiral
• Stages of Crisis
• Post Incident Learning and Support, understanding the processes
• Risk and Restraint Reduction Planning
• The Legal Framework

Senior Leaders Workshops Concluded

Our Senior Leaders have participated in their third and final workshop with The Table Group Principal Consultant, Matt Lashbrook. This workshop focused on the 6 types of Working Genius, a new model that helps people discover their natural gifts and thrive in their work and life. When people can better understand the types of work that bring them more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, they can be more self-aware, more productive and more successful. It was a fantastic day of learning.

Our Commitment to Action: Child Safety

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

Child Safety Risk Register

We are making steady progress with our Child Safe Culture. Staff meetings have a focus on building our professional culture ensuring staff understand their obligations and take individual responsibility for their behaviour and actions in line with Child Safe Standards.

MunchMonitor

Parents and guardians can set up a MunchMonitor account to place orders online up to 4 weeks in advance. Parents and guardians can also set up snack money for over-the-counter purchasing, set daily or weekly spend limits, and specify which days an account may be used. Cash and card can still be used to purchase food directly from the Café.

Instructions on setting up an account can be found here.

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