We were delighted to welcome students back to Siena College, witnessing their excitement as they shared holiday experiences and reconnected with peers and teachers. I would like to extend a warm welcome to new families joining our College community. At Siena, we are dedicated to providing opportunities for all students to forge connections with one another and starting the year with Fiesta sets a vibrant tone for this endeavour. We understand the significance of feeling connected to community for overall wellbeing, which is why we take pride in offering a plethora of cocurricular opportunities for students to strengthen their bonds outside the classroom.
Inside the classroom, our teachers prioritise fostering connections through group work, encouraging positive interactions and building respectful relationships with all students. Recognising that some students may require additional support in forming new connections, I encourage them to seize opportunities to try something new, engage with student groups or muster the courage to strike up conversations with unfamiliar peers. Together, let us cultivate a community where each individual feels valued and connected.
Starting a new school or starting secondary school can be both exciting and unsettling for some students. Establishing a morning routine, encouraging time management and adopting a positive mindset are some of the ways parents can help set their children up for success. Please stay connected to the College community; the Heads of House are a great point of contact and can assist with a range of issues or concerns that may arise.
Heads of House (L-R): Laine Rice (Kurrajong), Becky Scott (Dianella), Sophie Pryn (Cassia) and Lauren Seymour (Waratah)
The counselling service at Siena aims to support students, families and College staff to create a successful and enjoyable learning environment, where young people learn to manage their own wellbeing. The counsellors work to support students’ mental health concerns in a confidential and respectful way while striving to develop personal insight, problem solving skills, greater self esteem and stronger relationships. Additionally, the counsellors take on a broader pastoral care role within the College to support the wellbeing of the entire student population. A systemic approach underpins the counselling interventions with a focus on strengths and change, rather than on diagnosis and pathology.
Parents and Guardians face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.
SchoolTV addresses this as an online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical and ongoing support strategies. An excellent feature of SchoolTV is that it is available whenever you need to access it, in your own time. Evidence-based recommendations and strategies are provided by specialists who practice in the field.
I invite all parents to explore this resource which can be accessed here.
We are committed to providing all students with an environment that is safe and respectful. We welcome student voice and provide avenues for students to share concerns, offer feedback, ask questions, and express opinions and views. Our Learning Framework outlines the guidelines for classroom relationships and behaviour and this is also reflected in the Student Code of Conduct. As part of the Victorian Child Safe Standards, all students are required to sign this code. Year 7s will complete this in an upcoming Wellness lesson and new Year 8s to 11s will have an opportunity to meet with me to discuss the document in the coming weeks.
The Student Behaviour Policy and associated documents are listed here on the Parent Portal and Student Zone in Siena Central. Feedback is always welcome so please feel free to reach out to us.
