It has been great to see nearly two hundred students across year levels each week participating in our Term 1 weekly GSV sport offerings: tennis, indoor cricket and softball.
Siena College is very excited for another big season of Debating in 2023, with teams across all year levels representing the College in the Debaters’ Association of Victoria (DAV) interschool competition.
In this midterm period, we are reminded of all that is happening within our community. Teaching staff continue to establish strong learning environments in the classroom, and we are mindful also of the great opportunities for learning and growth in the broader life of the College.
"All of us are jugglers and balancers in life. Like all balancers, we sometimes fall, but we should remember that, where we stumble, there we find our opportunity. With our feet firmly planted on the ground and our eyes on the stars, all of us are striving to balance – values and freedom, rights and responsibilities, mind and heart, involvement and detachment, the body and spirit, giving and receiving, male and female, formality and intimacy, the conservative and the innovative. Where any of these elements are allowed to get out of balance, we lose perspective."
And so, a Leunig prayer for balance and integration this week:
"Dear God, we pray for balance and exchange. Balance us like trees. As the roots of a tree shall equal its branches, so must the inner life be equal to the outer life. And as the leaves shall nourish the roots, so shall the roots give nourishment to the leaves. Without equality and exchange of nourishment, there can be no growth and no love. Amen."
Elizabeth Hanney
Principal
Principal’s Formative Review
I write to advise you that, as per regular practice, Siena College Principal, Elizabeth Hanney, will undertake a Formative Review during Term 1. This is scheduled on Thursday, 16 March and Monday, 20 March 2023.
The process is structured to:
Provide ongoing feedback to the Principal
Confirm and affirm the work of the Principal
Encourage the Principal as a reflective practitioner
Identify areas in performance requiring further development
Provide a means of accountability to the Board and to the wider College community
Provide opportunity for the Board to make appropriate input into the direction of the College
Inform decisions about the Principal’s further professional development
The areas of focus for the review are:
Leadership of the Catholic faith community
Leadership of learning and teaching
Developing self and others
Leading improvement, innovation and change
Leadership of management of the College
Engaging and working with the community
The Review Panel that will conduct this Formative Review comprises:
Margaret McKenna (Board Chair, Whitefriars College – Board Chair’s nominee)
Deborah Barker (Principal, St Kevin’s College – Principal’s nominee)
As part of the review process, feedback from staff will be sought via interviews and an online survey, and the panel will meet with students from different year levels.
Parents may also provide feedback to the Review Panel by requesting an interview on Thursday, 16 March or Monday, 20 March 2023. This can be done by sending an email to the Panel Chair, Ms Myers at vmyers@macs.vic.edu.au. Closing date: Tuesday, 14 March 2023.
Judith Potter
Siena College Board Chair
Mission Matters
The first half of this term has certainly been busy!
Opening College Eucharist
It was wonderful to gather on Thursday, 16 February in St Dominic’s Church to celebrate this special eucharist – our College Chaplain, Fr Kevin Toomey OP reminded us that our 2023 College Theme invites us to be people of hope. 2023 Cantor, Ava Dickinson lead us in song, ably supported by our combined choirs and mass musicians. As part of their Commissioning Ceremony, our student leaders made the following commitment before all present:
In the spirit of St Catherine, we promise our ongoing commitment to our faith, learning and loyalty to this community. We will endeavour to foster an environment where individuals feel secure and are encouraged to take risks, explore ideas, raise questions and share their truth. Our promise is that we will lead in times of celebration and in times of challenge. In doing so, and with God’s good grace, we will uphold and model a commitment to our Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Service and Community.
Ash Wednesday
We marked the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, 22 February; on this day Christians around the world are signed with simple ash to remind us that we are created from the earth and will one day return to the earth. While the things of this earth are frail and fragile, God’s love for us is eternal and strong. The sign of the cross reminds us that responding to God’s love is not always easy… but, when we live in community, God’s love flows through us in good times and in bad.
Year 7 Dominican Day
On Thursday, 2 March all Year 7 students participated in this integral part of their introductory Religious Education Unit, Our Dominican Community. Students were engaged in the following workshop sessions facilitated by members of the Mission and Identity and Year 7 Religious Education teams:
The Dominican Way – A journey through Siena
Living Lent – Project Compassion
Being Dominican – Action for Justice
Our Dominican Family – Solomon Islands
It was wonderful to see our newest Dominicans viewing each experience through the lens of our 2023 College Theme: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.
2023 World Youth Day
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli is inviting young people aged between sixteen to thirty-five years old to journey with him to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day from Tuesday, 1 August to Sunday, 6 August. This is an opportunity to experience our Catholic faith with more than a million young people from around the world.
Registrations close on Friday, 17 March. Any Siena students wishing to participate may do so by joining with their Parish WYD Pilgrimage group. For further details, click here.
Jennifer Levett
Deputy Principal Mission and Identity
Learning and Teaching
The year started off with a bang and we already find ourselves halfway through Term 1! Having celebrated Fiesta and our special VCE Acknowledgement Assembly, we now look forward to completing the first wave of NAPLAN, as well as meeting students and families virtually to talk about their learning before Horizons Week and Easter.
NAPLAN
This week, Year 7 and Year 9 parents will receive further communication via Siena Central regarding NAPLAN arrangements. Online NAPLAN Testing will occur on the following days:
Wednesday, 15 March
Thursday, 16 March
Monday, 20 March
Periods 1 and 2
Year 9 Writing Test
Year 7 Reading Test
Year 7 COL Test
Periods 3 and 4
Year 9 Reading Test
Year 9 Numeracy Test
Periods 5 and 6
Year 7 Writing Test
Year 9 COL Test
Year 7 Numeracy Test
Learning Conference Bookings
Student Learning Conferences will be held online via MS Teams. Students will be asked to reflect and share on their learning for each subject and identify learning goals and areas for improvement for the remainder of the semester. We kindly request that students attend the interviews.
To complete bookings, please log onto Siena CentralParent Zone and click on the Learning Conference Tile.
Learning Conversations are held over two dates:
Monday, 20 March: 4.00pm VCE student bookings open
Tuesday, 21 March: 4.00pm Years 7 to 10 student bookings open
Tuesday, 28 March Bookings close at 9.00am
Wednesday, 29 March: 4.00pm to 7.30pm Student Learning Conferences take place on MS Teams
Thursday, 30 March: 4.00pm to 7.30pm Student Learning Conferences take place on MS Teams
Friday, 31 March Non Teaching Day (in accordance with the new Award for teaching staff)
Teachers will ‘call’ the student on their device at the scheduled appointment time, via Microsoft Teams. At this time, you will be able to participate in the conversation, sitting beside the student.
Please make bookings as soon as possible as some subjects fill up quickly.
To accommodate separated families, where a parent resides in a different location to the student, we kindly request that the parent that will be with the student, makes one set of bookings and sends the booking schedule and the email address for the parent that will not be with the student but wishes to participate, to bgower@siena.vic.edu.au.
Learning Conference slots are ten minutes apart, however, the conversation time is seven minutes, to allow transition between interviews. To ensure that we run on time, we kindly request that you strictly adhere to your time allocation in consideration of other parents and teaching staff.
Interim Reports will be available on Siena Central from 4.00pm on Thursday, 16 March and can be accessed via the student’s profile under the Academics Reports tab. Please access the report prior to the scheduled Learning Conversation, to discuss any areas of concern.
Assessment Task Absence
Please note the following procedures for students absent from assessment. Year 7 to 10 students are asked to submit a 'Change of Assessment Date' form. VCE students are asked to report their absence to Head of Senior Pathways, Michael Petrie. The form can be completed when a student returns to school (first lesson) or will be accepted via email whilst students are absent.
The ‘Application for Change of Assessment Date’ form can be accessed by students and parents on the Siena Central. The student needs to include:
A medical certificate (VCE)
A written statement from parents or guardians (Years 7 to 10)
Absence from Tests, Presentations and Performances (Year 7 to 11)
Absence on the day of a test, presentation or performance must be fair to both the individual student and to all other students enrolled in the subject.
All students must meet the same performance standards and requirements of knowledge and skills required by other students. Consequently, tests, presentations and performances for which a student has been absent must be completed as soon as practicable, given the student’s length of absence. This will normally occur in the next lesson for Year 7 to 11 students.
Horizons Week
Horizons Week provides the opportunity for cohort specific connection building, collaboration and experiential learning. A carefully considered and planned program tailored to the respective year levels has been created, in support of the learning and wellbeing of students. We kindly request your support in student attendance.
Monday, 3 April to Thursday, 6 April Year 9 city based program provides students with opportunities to experience Melbourne in a new and transformational light, as they reflect upon the social injustices that exist within the Melbourne community and learn about the organisations who are operating to address these injustices
Monday, 3 April and Tuesday, 4 April: City experience
Wednesday, 5 April and Thursday, 6 April: Combined school program with Xavier College
Tuesday, 4 April to Thursday, 6 April
Year 7 and Year 10 students will attend year level camps
Year 8 students will be involved in a variety of experiential activities including Indigenous Encounter Program, History and Careers activities
The focus for Year 11 students will be on careers and opportunities for the future
Year 12 students will be on Retreat
Parents will receive notification for the different year levels in the coming weeks.
Donna Laughlin
Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching
2023 Siena in Siena
Dominican Immersion to Italy
Siena College has been invited to join the fortieth celebrations of the Carmelite Sisters in Italy. The Carmelite Sisters resided in a monastery in Morrocco, Tuscany for four decades and we are excited to offer Year 9 Italian/Music students the opportunity to participate in a Dominican Immersion to Italy later in the year. Students will visit this monastery and take part in the celebrations.
At Siena College, we see the Immersion as a pilgrimage, a sacred journey into the unknown. Our hope for this trip is to offer our students a transformative experience which engages their hearts and minds. This Immersion will also provide students with an experience of the culture, language and spirituality of Italy, immersing themselves in a local community in Tuscany.
Students and staff will travel to Rome, Florence, Morrocco in Tuscany and Siena, which will provide opportunities for students to further experience the Dominican charism and heritage. They will walk in the steps of St Catherine which will help them to understand why Catherine of Siena remains relevant in today’s context.
This will be the first overseas trip for Siena College since 2019 and we look forward to sharing details of this experience with all in our community.
Child Safety
All students have been required to sign the Siena College Student Code of Conduct. Our College Captains and Child Safe Ambassadors launched this Code in Wellness last week. Watch the recording here.
Antonella Rosati
Acting Principal
Student Formation
AGSA International Women’s Day Breakfast
"To kickstart International Women’s Week, we were lucky enough to
attend the International Women’s Day Breakfast at the Queen’s Hall, Parliament House. Organised by the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia, we were fortunate to
hear from three inspiring women.
We first heard from Georgie
Crozier MP, who spoke about women’s representation in the Parliament, and how it is
changing for the better. Next, we heard from Jess Wilson MP, who spoke about
her how her team knocked on sixteen thousand doors around
the Kew electorate, the importance of interpersonal relationships within the Parliament and as a leader.
Finally, we heard from Head of the Macroeconomic Conditions Division (Australian Treasury), Dr Angelia Grant. Angelia spoke about her experience as a woman in a male dominated
field, and the fine balance of being respectful and having a voice. She
also spoke about questioning your ‘What?’, ‘How?’ and ‘Why?’, and the ways in
which our personal values can guide our ‘How?’.
Overall, it was such a wonderful
experience highlighting the power of women, and how we can all make a
positive change."
Year 12 Student Leaders, Majella H, Hannah R, Jess
H and Anita B
International Women's Day Student Artwork
Design Rationale
"My International Women’s Day
artwork focuses on the representation of the empowerment of females through the
innovation of technology and the digital world. I particularly looked to focus
on the process of ‘cracking the code’ to champion the notions of women using
creative solutions and problem solving skills in the digital and technological
world. The digital theme for International Women’s Day motivated my use of the
digital graphic design software, Adobe Illustrator. I aimed to feature green
and purple tones as they are universally used to represent the feminist
movement and symbolises the solidarity of coming together to mark the call for
continued gender equality. The background is motherboard, also referred to as
the backbone of a computer. The integration of the motherboard and the imagery
of the woman standing on the ladder has been used as a way to communicate the
idea of ‘reaching’ or ‘climbing’ to further find solutions and put to use
problem solving skills, allowing her to further immerse herself in the
technological world. Overall, I aimed to celebrate and promote females’
knowledge and skills in the digital world, whilst encouraging and empowering
more young women to immerse themselves in the evolving digital environment."
Visual Arts and
Design Leader, Carla M
Lunchtime Soirée
"On Wednesday, 8 March, the Stage Band and Junior Choir presented a lively performance to celebrate International Women’s Day. Both ensembles have been preparing their repertoire for Siena’s Night of Jazz and used this day as an opportunity to perform, in support of female artists. The concert took place in the Amphitheatre which was attended by students and staff as they sung along to tunes by both groups, getting into the spirit of the day.
Overall, the concert was a huge success as the audience was united by the delightful energy of our young women sharing their advocacy for women in music. We hope to see more events like this from our Music Department in the future!"
Music Leader, Maddie C
Caritas Project Compassion Launch on Tuesday, 21 February
"This year, Siena has participated in the 2023 Caritas Project Compassion Launch in an online capacity. Caritas aims to help communities take control of their personal development and collaborate with groups to build on the strengths and resources available at a local level.
Supporting those in need is part of our history. Parishioners in the 1960s held local Lenten drives in the Dioceses of Sydney, Adelaide and Wagga Wagga to raise money for international missionary work and projects to alleviate poverty. These neighbourhood fundraising initiatives later evolved into Project Compassion, a major nationwide fundraising initiative for Lent.
This year's theme, 'For All Future Generations' reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come, therefore providing us with many Siena Service opportunities.To learn more about the 2023 Project Compassion, click here.
Year 9 House Captains, Eloise L, Annabelle M and Katie K
Peta Mackintosh
Head of Student Formation
Justice Education
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Barack Obama
This Lent, Siena students and families have the opportunity to be the change that our world needs and seeks at this time. In addition to supporting Caritas’ Project Compassion throughout the Season of Lent, Siena College is once again collaborating with St Dominic’s Parish to support the work of Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP). BASP is a Melbourne based initiative by the Brigidine Sisters which aims to:
Provide hospitality and practical support for people seeking asylum
Actively network with like minded individuals and groups who are working for justice for asylum seekers
Promote advocacy for the rights of people seeking asylum
Engage in education about asylum seekers’ issues
Students are asked to contribute donations of the following items:
Middle House Groups
Sugar
Plain flour
Olive oil
Tinned fruit
Tinned tomatoes
Basmati rice
Sweet and savoury biscuits
School snacks
Salt and pepper
Spices (cinnamon, ginger, coriander)
Senior House Groups
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Deodorant
Sanitary pads
Toilet paper
Toilet cleaner
Bath and shower cleaner
Washing detergent
Dishwashing detergent
Window cleaner
All purpose cleaner
Sponges
Scourers
Paper towel
Students should bring their donations to House Group. All items will be collected in the final week of school and distributed by BASP to households in need.
Palm Sunday Peace Walk
Additionally, Siena students and families are invited to show their support for refugees by attending the Palm Sunday Peace Walk. This annual event draws people from many faith backgrounds to march in support of non violent approaches to contentious public policies.
This year’s walk will call for Justice for Refugees: Permanent Visas for all, Fair Processes and income support for people who are seeking recognition as refugees. While the change of government at the Federal Election last year has brought hope for more compassionate policies, thousands of refugees and people seeking asylum are still in limbo waiting for certainty about their future.
Siena College will be walking alongside Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum and Catholic Social Services Victoria in addition to other Melbourne schools and organisations, as well as members of the public.
Date and time: Palm Sunday, 2 April 2023 at 1.00pm Where: State Library of Victoria (specific meeting point details to follow)
Please email Head of Justice Education, Bronwyn Ilott: bilott@siena.vic.edu.au if you would like more information.
Bronwyn Ilott
Director of Faith and Mission
Sport News
It has been great to see nearly two hundred students across year levels each week participating in our Term 1 weekly GSV sport offerings: tennis, indoor cricket and softball. The participation level has been high and students have had some excellent results.
Term 2 sport signups have already closed and the numbers are looking really strong. Term 2 weekly GSV sport offerings include netball, football and water polo (Years 10 to 12).
GSV Preliminary Swim and Dive Carnival Results
A huge well done to the nearly sixty Siena College students who participated in the GSV Preliminary Swimming and Diving Carnivals on Friday, 3 March. These Carnivals are used to grade all twenty-four GSV schools for the Championships Carnivals coming up on Tuesday, 21 March.
Our Swim team came up against some of the strongest GSV Swim schools in our region and battled on all day in the pool, despite the skill differential. There were some outstanding individual performances from our squad swimmers (including Zara O, Emma H, Kara J, Annabelle R and Emma I) and our Senior Relay team managed a first place in a very competitive field. Overall Siena College finished in eighth place, which will see our swimmers be graded into the Division Three Carnival on the morning of Tuesday, 21 March.
Our Dive team had some exceptional results up against a Division where most of the schools have pools and well developed Dive programs.
Individual Division results
First place: Millie M (Inters A grade)
Second place: Zoe T, Giaan D and Nya T
Third place: Eloise L and Jamieson M
Fourth place: Heidi R, Audrey T, Paige O, Veronica P
Fifth place: Grace J
Sixth place: Lily H
Seventh place: Imm A
Overall, Siena College Dive team finished fourth in their Carnival and have qualified for the Division One Carnival which will be held on the morning of Wednesday, 22 March. Well done to all students in our Swim and Dive teams! It was great to see you out there trying your best.
Triathlon
On Sunday, 26 February, more than thirty students turned up at school at 5.00am to head out to Altona for the annual GSV Triathlon event. This consisted of a 300m swim, 10km bike and 3km run.
Most students chose to compete in teams, however a special mention to Charlotte H from Year 7, who competed as an individual and completed all three legs.
In our teams category from Siena College, the fastest team across the line on the day was: Grace M (swim), Charlotte L (bike) and Maya G (run), they were also the fastest Siena Seniors team.
Our fastest Inters team was: Olivia G (swim), Victoria C (bike) and Katie K (run)
Our fastest Junior team was: Kiera R (swim), Chloe H (bike) and Penelope K (run)
Official overall results are still be calculated by GSV and should be released shortly.
A huge well done to all our participants! It was a great experience!
Julia Hay
Director of Sport
Music News
Autumn Concert
Join us for our annual Autumn Concert, our first major performance opportunity for the year involving all of Siena’s music ensembles! Buy tickets here.
The Autumn Concert will take places across two concerts in the Susan Alberti Auditorium on Tuesday, 28 March. You and your family can choose to attend one or both of the concerts. See below for details of the performances at each.
Concert 1 (5.00pm) Junior Band, Junior Guitar Ensemble, Sisters of Swing, Junior String Ensemble, Junior Choir, Symphonic Band VCE soloists: Madeline C, Adele B, Ava D
Students celebrated International Women’s Day in many ways at Siena including attending a Lunchtime Soirée, featuring the Stage Band and Junior Choir. Congratulations to all student musicians and Music staff for a fantastic performance! It was terrific to see so many students and staff enjoying themselves at the Amphitheatre.
VCE Lunchtime Soirée
On Thursday, 2 March, our VCE Music students performed during lunchtime. They all performed one piece from their recital program to a large student audience across year levels and gained valuable performance experience. Congratulations to all performers and their accompanist, Janette Patton. The next Lunchtime Soirée will be Monday, 20 March and the signup sheet is on the red doors outside the Music Office. Students from all year levels can perform at this upcoming Soirée. Places are limited but we will run two Soirée if we have the interest.
New Clarinet Teacher
We are very pleased to advise the appointment of Clarinet Teacher, Rory Davison. Rory is a clarinet specialist with a wealth of professional performance experience in playing the clarinet and bass clarinet within an orchestra and band setting. Rory possesses the knowledge and passion for teaching clarinet – he has studied in Brisbane and was a student of renowned Australian composer and clarinettist, Professor Paul Dean. Rory is looking forward to teaching our clarinet students and joining Siena’s Music Department.
Combined Schools Band Concert
Siena College’s Wind Orchestra and De La Salle College’s Senior Concert Bands started rehearsing on the night of Tuesday, 7 March, in preparation for the Combined Schools Band Concert on the Tuesday, 21 March. This year is Siena’s turn to host and we are delighted to have continued this collaboration for the third year. Both the Senior Concert Bands and the VCE Music students will be performing – friends and families from both Colleges are invited to attend the concert held in the Susan Alberti Auditorium.
Chicago Weekend and Holiday Rehearsals
Students and families are asked to check the dates and time for the upcoming Chicago rehearsals, including the weekend and holiday intensive rehearsals. It is expected that all cast and orchestra attend all rehearsals.
Term 1 Music Dates
Music Ensembles Rehearsals
Friday, 3 February to Thursday, 6 April
Ensemble Room Susan Alberti Auditorium W208
Night of Jazz Auditions
Friday, 10 March
West Wing
Chicago Rehearsal
Sunday, 19 March from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Siena College
Lunchtime Soirée
Monday, 20 March
Susan Alberti Auditorium
Mary Poppins Excursion (Year 9, 10 and VCE Music classes)
Wednesday, 22 March
Her Majesty’s Theatre
Wind Orchestra and De La Salle Senior Band Rehearsals and Concert
Ongoing rehearsal on Tuesday, 14 March from 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Concert takes place on Tuesday, 21 March at 7.00pm
West Wing Ensemble Room
Autumn Concert
Tuesday, 28 March at 5.00pm and 7.00pm
Susan Alberti Auditorium
VCCA Top Class Music Excursion (Year 10 and VCE Music classes)
Wednesday, 29 March from 11.00am to 4.30pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
Chicago Musical Intensive Holiday Rehearsals
Wednesday, 19 April to Friday, 21 April from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Siena College
Kerryn McGillen
Director of Music
Siena Rocketry Program
Hold On! This Is Rocket Science!
Years 7 to 10 students have the opportunity to take part in some real life rocketry here at Siena. Head of Learning Centre, Roxanne Summer and Head of Science, Nicholas Harvey recently visited Thomas Carr College to learn about constructing water propelled bottle rockets and small model rockets powered by chemical engines.
This program will be introduced to the Siena STEAM curriculum initially through the Maker Monday Club. Opportunities will be provided for students who enjoy constructing bottle rockets to advance in the program by building and launching more powerful model rockets, as well as enter their work in either the Science Talent Search or STEM MAD
competitions.
Students who are interested in learning more about rocketry, or building their own rocket should come along to Maker Monday Club for more information. An information session will be held at the beginning of lunchtime on Monday, 27 March in the Learning Centre.
If you have any questions, please email Head of Science, Nicholas Harvey: nharvey@siena.vic.edu.au.
Nicholas Harvey
Head of Science
VCE Drama Excursion
On Thursday, 23 February, VCE Drama students attended the performance of Nosferatu at the Malthouse Theatre. Written by Australian playwright, Keziah Warner and directed by Bridget Balodis, the story is based on the 1922 gothic horror silent film, Nosferatu. It was a chilling theatre experience with creative and symbolic use of theatre technologies, real moments of sheer terror but with welcomed moments of satire and comic relief. This production is part of the 2023 VCAA playlist and will see Drama students share in thoughtful analysis and evaluation of the various themes, production areas, dramatic elements and performance skills.
Sandra Siapantas
Teacher
Debating at Siena
Siena College is very excited for another big season of Debating in 2023, with teams across all year levels representing the College in the Debaters’ Association of Victoria (DAV) interschool competition.
This year, we have entered six teams in the Senior DAV competition, ranging from A Grade (Year 12) through to D Grade (Year 9). We are also very happy to announce that two teams will take part in the Junior Speakers Program (JSP) to represent the College over three rounds across Term 3. Students will take part in workshops and training sessions to build skills and confidence before embarking on their first real debates.
The Debating program offered at Siena provides consistent opportunities for students to enhance their learning by developing critical thinking skills, experiencing speaking with clarity and persuasion in front of an audience, delivering arguments, and forming strategies for impromptu Debate sessions. Perhaps most rewardingly, students across all year levels demonstrate crucial teamwork both with their peers and support staff.
A sincere thank you to all staff and students who have been a part of this initiative – with particular thanks to Communications Leader: Debating and Public Speaking, Amali H, who continues to offer exceptional support, guidance and mentorship to all students involved.
We wish our student teams and coaches all the best for invigorating Debating!
Gerard Sutton
Debating Coordinator
Learning Centre
Students are highly encouraged to come along to the Learning Centre and join one or more of the clubs which meet at lunchtime or after school on Tuesday. See the poster below to learn more!
Roxanne Summer
Head of Learning Centre
From the Archives
Earlier in Term 1, the display in the Heritage Centre (top floor of the front Cloister near the Chapel) was updated to include a variety of photos and items showing the growth of the College in various ways. In 2003, Director of Formation, Sr Sheila Flynn brought back children's drawings from the Kopanang Community, which were gifted to thank Siena College for our ongoing supporting of the Kopanang Community Trust Project. These are beautiful pieces of artwork demonstrating the creativity and imagination of these children.
Another display of photos shows the evolution of the Debutante balls over the decades, with the last debutants presented in 2014 as part of the Year 11 formal. Whilst the dress designs altered only a little over the years, it is the hairstyle of both the girls and boys involved which are really worth a visit to see.
In the final cabinet are items related to the history of the Dominican Sisters, including a display of the crockery used by the Sisters in the Camberwell community for many years, as well as the bell created for the Centenary of the arrival of the ship, Martha Birnie, which carried the first Dominican Sisters to Australia in 1867.
On Dominican Day, Year 7 students learned about the school history on a walking tour. If you are interested to view these displays (Monday, Thursday and Friday during term time), please email College Archivist, Marian Jenkinson: mjenkinson@siena.vic.edu.au.
Marian Jenkinson
College Archivist
A Video Message From the Siena Parents’ Association President, Nicole Wood
ONE MORE WEEK till the annual SPA Raffle Draw on Friday, 17 March 2023!
Enter the draw to win a Flight Centre voucher (RRP: $14,990) or a year's worth of tuition fees for Siena College!
All proceeds raised will go towards supporting the academic, spiritual, cultural, sporting and social interests of Siena College students.
Since 1971, the Siena Parents’ Association (SPA) has been supporting students at Siena by bringing the parent and school community together with events and fundraising activities. Through the support of Siena parents, SPA has raised in total of $229,335.
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Career News
Term 1 has been very busy with Year 12 Careers Meetings and planning for Horizons Week which will commence at the end of Term 1. More information will be posted shortly about some of the engaging activities organised for students in the last week of term.
The Careers at Siena Team has grown with Maree Hodgson joining us as Career Practitioner. Many parents and students will be familiar with Maree who has been teaching in the areas of Health, Physical Education and Psychology at Siena over the past few years. Students and parents are welcome to book a Careers appointment with either Maree or myself via the appointment booking link on the Siena Careers website.
In this edition of Siena Career News, you will find:
Box Hill Institute Talk and Tours
Studying the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at RMIT University
EducationUSA Public Information Session
Letz Live Gap Year opportunities
HMAS Cerberus Open Day: Careers in the Navy
2023 Cyber Security Courses in Victoria
2023 Snapshot of the Australian National University (ANU)
News from Monash University - Discover Monash - MySCI Science Holiday Program
News from The University of Melbourne - Girl Power in Engineering and IT - Girls' Programming Network
Studying Law at the Swinburne University
News from Deakin University - Deakin Campus Tours (April Term Break) - Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Women in Plumbing
Engineers Australia
2023 Data Science and Information Systems Degrees in Victoria
2023 Courses offered by Australian Institute of Management (Melbourne)
Limited Spots Available for Year 7 2024 Enrolments
Current Parent and Student Testimonials
We have limited places available in Year 7 2024. If your daughter is currently in Grade 6, we strongly recommend you submit an Enrolment Application as soon as possible.
To submit an Application for Enrolment, visit the Siena website (click here) and click the Apply Now button. After you have submitted your online enrolment application form and all supporting documents, our Head of Admissions, Tracey Lawson, will confirm receipt of your application.
All enrolments are subject to a successful enrolment interview, during which we hope to learn more about your daughter, including her interests, hobbies and learning strengths. This interview also provides an opportunity for you and your family to learn more about Siena College, including our school values, subject and cocurricular offerings, and expectations of our students.
If you would like to discover the Siena Spirit, register for an Open Morning or College Tour here.