Professional Culture and Growth

Welcome to 2024

It is hard to believe that we already into week 4 of the school year. It has been a wonderful start to the year with many activities well under way for our students. Our Year 7 students embark on their first camp in secondary school to focus on building those important relationships with their peers and teachers. We enjoyed a wonderful House Swimming Carnival last Friday, led by our Head of Sport, Mr Dean Hendrikse. It was a joy to see all of our students participating, whether it was in the pool or cheering for their House. We also had a staff vs student relay which included our Principal, Ms. Lisa Harkin, and Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity and Mission, Mrs Jacinta Johnston, take the lead to raise money for Project Compassion. 

New Staff 2024 

In 2024 we welcomed 20 new Teaching Staff to Marist-Sion College and 7 Education Support Staff. Our new staff bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience and great enthusiasm to their role. We also welcomed the return of the following staff who were on leave in 2023:

• Ms Amanda Lee
• Mr Brad Cavalot
• Ms Sharryn Marshall 

Of our 20 new staff, our 2 graduate teachers are:

• Mr Michal Moser (supported by Mr Biju Varghese)
• Miss Thea Notman (supported by Mrs Sharon Gardiner)

We wish you all the best for your first year of your teaching profession!

Staff Commencement Professional Learning

Staff enjoyed a very busy and valuable program at the commencement of the year over 4 days. The focus for these days was to introduce the College’s new Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) and Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) along with the new College 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.

The focus for us in Term 1 is Knowing our Students. Whilst this may seem a given; it incorporates the following:

• Knowing our students and their backgrounds
• Knowing how they learn best.
• Knowing their learning needs 
• Knowing their medical needs 
• Knowing their interests and passions

Knowing students is also AITSL Standard 1 and focuses on the student as a whole, not just how they learn in the classroom. This focus also flows into the offerings of Professional Learning Culture Workshops and Teaching Sprints for Term 1.

MSCW Learning Hub

In Semester 2 of 2023, we held a pilot program for a new Professional Learning platform by EC Go1. The feedback from all the staff involved was positive and highlighted the need for staff to have access to Professional Learning in their own time and to cater for their needs.

During the Staff Commencement days, we launched the MSCW Learning Hub to all staff. This was met with much excitement as staff now have access to over 80,000 Professional Learning programs from providers such as the University of Melbourne, Harvard University and Dylan Wiliam to name a few. The hub provides all staff with up-to-date learning in all areas of our Strategic Plan, Catholic Identity, Teaching and Learning, Leadership, Child Safety and Stewardship of Resources. These courses can be 5 min to 2-3 days depending on the intensity and level of detail in the course. We look forward to the conversations that will be had from our learning!

Georgie Erpisimidis

Deputy Principal – Professional Culture and Growth