Living Lent

Next week sees the beginning of Lent, an important time in our liturgical year. Our aim is for members of the Siena community to embrace the idea of living Lent and have the opportunity to actively support the College theme, In Truth and Action.

Project Compassion

The Lenten appeal of Caritas Australia, the Australian Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency is running across the six weeks of Lent and provides us with Siena Service opportunities.

Supporting over three million people across the globe every year, Caritas Australia works in the most disadvantaged and vulnerable areas and uses long term sustainable practices, such as working with local communities and non governmental organisations (NGOs), to build resilience and empowerment into the future.

This year’s theme, For All Future Generations, comes from the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. After the flood waters subsided, a rainbow appeared in the sky and the dove sent out by Noah returned with an olive branch indicating a new beginning.

God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations." Genesis 9:12

Five stories from programs in Mozambique, India, Australia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Solomon Islands are featured. Each of these stories demonstrates the powerful impact that each one of us can have for the people that will follow us in time. Caritas believes that, Together, we can create lasting change.

By increasing our awareness of the mission of Caritas, we are seeing the truth of the lives of the vulnerable in our global community; by participating in the organised activities and sharing ideas and suggestions of ways to support the fundraising endeavours we are engaging in action.

Ash Wednesday

The beginning of Lent will be marked at Siena by Prayer Services in each House led by House Captains; this comprises a Gospel reading, Prayers of the People, distribution of ashes blessed at St Dominic’s and the launch of our 2022 Caritas Project Compassion campaign. All House Groups will be given a Project Compassion box which students can use to collect funds during the Lenten season to support aid and development projects. Stay tuned for further details regarding online donations.

Learning Conversations for Year 7 to Year 12 Students and Parents

Learning Conversations will take place via MS Teams towards the end of Term 1. Please note the following important dates:

• Wednesday, 23 March
  Bookings open for VCE Conversations at 9.00am
• Thursday, 24 March
  Bookings open for Year 7 to Year 10 Students at 9.00am
• Thursday, 31 March
  Learning Conversations take place from 4.00pm to 7.30pm
• Friday, 1 April (student free day)
  Learning Conversations take place from 8.45am to 3.45pm

Parents are encouraged to contact the subject teacher with specific concerns throughout the term. The Learning Conversations provide an opportunity to briefly share student learning progress. We always endeavour to provide the maximum number of after hours sessions, whilst also taking our teaching staff into consideration. Please make your bookings as soon as you can, as sessions for certain subjects can become fully booked quite quickly.

Parents will be notified when bookings are open and guidelines will be provided as to how to navigate Learning Conversations on MS Teams, closer to the time.

Tuesday Professional Practice Time

A message from our Leaders of Pedagogy, Tina Di Camillo and Punita Mistry:

"All staff at Siena College attend Professional Learning Development on Tuesday afternoons. For our teaching staff, the focus is always on how to best support student learning, from a wholistic perspective. In 2022, we will further our pedagogical focus to include a discipline specific Whole School Literacy Program.

The program is evidence based and utilises both external data such as NAPLAN and Allwell Testing, as well as our own internal formative and summative data, to identify specific learning opportunities. This will be supported by teacher pedagogical development in explicit teaching and feedback strategies.

We also continue to embed the learning from 2021, including our focus on the Learning Framework and Lesson Structure to ensure consistency in lesson delivery for students’ benefit. Students have noticed and appreciate the consistency in the layout of their lessons. The uniformity of a defined lesson construct facilitates the ability to anticipate the lesson layout, in turn creating a sense of familiarity and place, that promotes confidence and understanding of context.

We look forward to sharing our learnings with the wider school community throughout the year."

Year 7 Academic Services Testing Results

A message from our Head of Learning Diversity, Annette Barker:

"The Allwell Academic Services Testing Reports are now available on Siena Central. Please sign into Siena Central, select your daughter’s name (left menu) and then click on the Academic Reports tab located on the far right.

Students can access this report via the Academic Reports tab on their Siena Central profile.

If you have any difficulties accessing Siena Central, fplease contact IT Help during business hours: ithelp@siena.vic.edu.au or 9835 0200."

If you have any questions regarding your daughter's Allwell Academic Services Testing Report, please email our Head of Learning Diversity, Annette Barker: ambarker@siena.vic.edu.au.

Horizons Week (previously known as Activities Week)

Horizons Week provides the opportunity for cohort specific connection building, collaboration and experiential learning. Each year level has a carefully considered and specifically planned program in support of the learning and wellbeing of students. We kindly request your support in student attendance.

Monday, 4 April to Friday, 8 April
The Siena in the City program will keep our Year 9 students busy on an adventure of discovery and learning in Melbourne’s CBD.

• Monday, 4 April: Onsite planning
• Tuesday, 5 April to Friday, 8 April: City experience

Wednesday, 6 April to Friday, 8 April

• Year 7 and Year 10 students will attend Lord Somers Camp
• Year 8 students will be involved in a variety of experiential activities, including Indigenous Encounter Program, as well as History and Geography experiential activities
• The focus for Year 11 students will be on Careers and Opportunities for the Future
• Year 12 students will be on retreat at Pallotti College, Millgrove

Parents will receive notification for the different year levels in the coming weeks.

Understanding Adolescence

Adolescence is the transitional stage of development which is usually associated with the teenage years. In 2018, the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority redefined adolescence as affecting young people aged between ten to twenty-four years old. During this time, they can experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth which affects how teenagers feel, think, make decisions and interact with the world around them.

During adolescence, a child's brain can be considered as being 'under construction'. The rate at which this progresses will vary, depending on the individual and also their gender. As a result, some parents may view adolescence as stressful or difficult. Setting boundaries, implementing consistent monitoring, and maintaining a strong and loving connection will help families adjust during this period of time.

It is also important to keep the communication lines open by having clear and age appropriate conversations with your child. Speak openly about changes that they are experiencing and be conscious of their mental health, as many of the issues faced in adulthood often start manifesting during the adolescence stage.

Parents can learn more about the best way to guide and support their children as they transition through adolescence in this edition of School TV.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College for further information. Alternatively, please seek medical or professional help.

Over the last week, all students from Year 7 and Year 8 participated in a year level connection session.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning and lockdowns have limited the access young people have to major sources of social support. Addressing the worry of social disconnection is a priority for our Wellbeing program this year.

Year 7 students gathered on Thursday, 17 February, to participate in a range of activities that were tailored to support their transition into secondary school. Students were introduced to our three College counsellors and the Counselling Hub, spent time interacting with students from different learning groups and enjoyed participating in activities that built resilience, team work and connection.

On Wednesday, 23 February, we were able to facilitate a year level session with all Year 8 students. This session discussed the fluidity of friendships, explored how we can grow when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone and reminded all students about the importance of showing kindness to others.

All Year 7 students are welcome to join the Year 7 Kind Mind Club. The club, led by Director of Students, Minna Jewell and the College Counsellors, will meet twice in Term 1. Topics of discussion will include mindfulness, friendships and tips for staying organised as when workloads get heavier. Please encourage your daughter to join us during lunchtime in J103. We hope to run this group throughout the year to continue to support the Year 7 cohort.

Discover the Siena spirit at our Open Evening on Thursday, 10 March 2022!

Open Evening will run from 4.30pm to 7.30pm and visitors can come along at any time. Our interactive faculty displays, student-led tours, music performances and sausage sizzle will run continuously throughout the evening.

A panel discussion between Principal, Elizabeth Hanney and student leaders will be held in the Susan Alberti Auditorium at 5.30pm and again at 6.30pm. Please note that density limits will apply in the auditorium, so please ensure you arrive early to ensure a seat for the panel discussion.

Click here to register for Open Evening and please note that, in line with government regulations, all visitors must provide proof of vaccination/medical exemption upon arrival.

We are currently finalising 2023 Year 7 enrolments and moving forward with the 2024 Year 7 enrolment procedure. Our enrolment process for Year 7 intake commences in the Grade 5 year of prospective students, with offers being made towards the start of Term 4 of your daughter's Grade 5 year. You are most welcome to submit an enrolment application and supporting documents via our website.

If you have any further enquires, please email Tracey Lawson: admissions@siena.vic.edu.au. Thank you.

“If you’ve even thought, ‘Wow, someone should really do something about that’, just remember: You’re someone!” Emily Ehlers

As we settle into the school year, it has been exciting to commence working with students from all year levels, connecting like minded students and working together to raise awareness and bring about change. Our Veritas Leaders are excited to share with you their plans and initiatives as various interest groups have commenced meeting over the past fortnight.

Eco Warriors: Vision for the Year ahead

"This year in Eco Warriors, we will focus on environmental activism through the lens of Laudato Sì’ teachings. In particular, we will be exploring the goal of Ecological Consumption, which outlines the importance of being a conscience consumer, diverting away from fossil fuels and other harmful activities to our planet and human population.

As nominated by the student body, the issues of greatest interest and concern will be explored to a certain extent. They include fast fashion, waste production and responsibility, as well as our impact on the ocean bodies and marine life. Throughout the year we will progress through ecological consumption on different scales, considering our Personal Consumption in Term 1, our Local Community of Siena in Term 2, Corporate Consumption and Responsibility in Term 3, and finally, a look at our Consumption Behaviours and Habits on a National Level in Term 4. We are planning to deepen our learning through excursions, guest speakers and shared initiatives.

Our first initiative in Term 1 focuses on personal consumption throughout Lent and Easter. We will begin by looking at Fairtrade chocolates as well as introducing a Lenten minimalist challenge."

Carly Walsh
Veritas Leader Environment

And, introducing Justice Club!

The Veritas Team has recently launched the Justice Club, a platform for passionate members of our student body to create change together. By providing education and learning together about issues such as period poverty, reconciliation, First Nations rights, as well as asylum seekers and refugees, we hope to empower our community to go out and help create positive change.

"Our Term 1 focus is on the issue of period poverty. Period poverty is a global issue, affecting girls all over the world, including Australia. Period poverty arises out of shame and stigma that is often associated with menstruation. In extreme cases, in countries like Nepal, there is an illegal yet still widespread practice of separating girls from their community during (this time), which, of course, means that they are unable to go to school or participate in the community life.
Source

In addition to being excluded from community life, some girls exclude themselves when they are menstruating as “they don't have access to the products they need to manage their periods. This can limit a girl’s potential and opportunities far beyond puberty. In Turkey, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom, nearly one in ten girls have missed school because they didn’t have access to proper hygienic period products. And while there is no Australian data on how many women are affected, a sample of college women in the United States found 14.2% experienced period poverty in the past year. An additional 10% experienced it every month.
Source

In learning about this issue, we will show our solidarity with girls around the globe. Importantly, we will explore ways in which we can tackle period poverty."

Ella Graham
Veritas Leader Social Justice

Welcome to Junior Music program

It has been fantastic to see so many Year 7 students having their first instrumental lessons and attending their first ensemble rehearsals this week. Students have been shown how to sign in and out to attend lessons this week as well. Parents are advised to refer to the Siena App for lesson dates and times.

It is not too late to enrol to learn an instrument at Siena, but we do have limited spaces for certain instruments, so please ensure you indicate your three preferences in order to be allocated to a suitable instrument.

Enrolment forms can be collected from the Music Office or please email the Music Office for any questions regarding the Junior Music programs: music@siena.vic.edu.au.

Lunchtime Soiree

The very first Lunchtime Soiree will be on this coming Monday, 28 February. Come along to the Susan Alberti Auditorium at 12.50pm to hear a selection of performances across a range of instruments. Students are also encouraged to consider nominating themselves for the Term 2 Lunchtime Soiree on Friday. 20 May. Start talking to your instrumental teachers about this!

2022 Open Evening

We are excited to have many of our ensembles performing during the Open Evening in a few weeks. EdSmart permission forms will be sent out shortly, and all ensemble members are expected to participate in performances as part of this event. Students will be told by their ensemble directors if their ensemble will be performing at the Open Evening.

Upcoming Events

• Jazz Workshop (Featuring Stage Band, Sisters of Swing and selected soloists)
  Tuesday, 15 March from 3.00pm to 7.00pm
• Canti Dolci Vocal Workshop with Nina Ferro
  Thursday, 17 March from 3.30pm to 5.30pm
• Siena Night of Jazz (Tickets will go on sale soon!)
  Thursday, 24 March at 7.00pm | Manningham Hotel
  All State Jazz Championships (New date!)
  Saturday, 14 May

Year 10 Crash and Burn Excursion to iFly Indoor Skydiving

Science is an inherently practical subject. It is wonderful now that we are out of lockdown to have the chance to investigate and learn in the laboratories at Siena. Even more exciting is the prospect of getting out of the classroom and going on an excursion. Our Year 10 Crash and Burn students were thrilled with the opportunity to apply their learning about forces in person on a recent visit to iFly Indoor Skydiving.

Emma Ireland, one of the Crash and Burn students, tells us a little more:

"On our adventure to iFly, we learnt about how the force, shape and mass of objects can affect its velocity. We had a briefing session when we arrived, which included activities where we weighed (to get the force of the indoor fans correct) and measured a round object. In my group’s case, we used a football.

From our results, we used formulas on the Excel spreadsheet to calculate the velocity and force that the football had, as well as the percentage error. As a class, we concluded that depending on the material, form and density of the object, it affected how accurate our results were to the actual result.

After we had our own turn in the tunnel, the different round objects were also released into the tunnel and we saw how they moved with the force of the wind hitting them. We also observed water being released in the tunnel; the water separated into different particles and floated upwards which looked so cool. Since the excursion, we have applied the concepts learnt into our lessons about forces.

This excursion was an amazing experience to learn and apply our learning. Fun is an understatement, it was such a thrilling experience to feel like you were flying."

Emma Ireland
Year 10 Crash and Burn Student

Maths Help 2022

All Mathematics students are warmly welcomed to our Maths Help sessions. If you are struggling to understand concepts taught in class, or to complete some of those tricky homework problems, please come along and get some assistance. It can also be a good place to review skills and concepts if you have an upcoming test.

Hope to see you there!

Sienas Speak Club

We have started the Sienas Speak Club, which will meet most weeks to learn about public speaking and debating, as well as to participate in fun activities and develop important skills. This will reinforce how Siena students actually have a voice, speak well and can make a difference. HOTY points will be offered for some events and over sixty students across year levels will have opportunities to enter various local and statewide speaking competitions, as well as the regular debating series at Camberwell Grammar School.

"This week, Sienas Speak Club conducted a lunchtime workshop with the junior members. It was an amazing opportunity for senior students to share tips and tricks from their personal public speaking and debating experience to the Year 7 and 8 students who are new to the program. We discussed skills in relation to the manner, delivery and style in which you should deliver a speech. The girls were then given an opportunity to trial these skills through a fun and engaging impromptu speaking activity. It was wonderful to witness the girls' enthusiasm and interest, and it will be a great pleasure to further develop their public speaking skills throughout the year."

Sasha Sahely
Communications Leader: Public Speaking and Debating

"This week, many of us were busy participating in debating competitions for schools, hosted by the Debaters Association of Victoria. We were fortunate enough to hear from two of the adjudicators, as they shared with us tips on how to best unpack and respond to the given topic, and how we should structure and plan our arguments. We were also given the opportunity to practise rebutting with one another and receive constructive feedback from the adjudicators. At the end of the session, the adjudicators shared with the group what they will be looking for when marking a debating competition. It was a great session which equipped us with the skills and confidence we need, as we prepare for the first round of debating competition in two weeks’ time."

Charlotte Lang
Year 10 Debater

Did you know the Learning Centre supports reading and research?

Parents and students can access the Learning Centre page through Siena Central, anytime, anywhere.

From the Learning Centre page you can:

• Find something to read
• Find research information
• Watch educational videos
• Listen to an audio book
• And more

To access the Learning Centre page:

In the latest edition of the Siena Career News, students and parents will find information on new and revamped courses, including the new Doctor of Physiotherapy and the refreshed common first year of Bachelor of Engineering. Students who keen to begin or continue studying languages at Monash will be able to take advantage of the Global Immersion Guarantee, an international experience and study tour.

Enrolment applications open next month for the Australian National University (ANU). Year 12s who are interested in applying must have excellent Year 11 grades, as well as demonstrated experience in community service, volunteer work or leadership. Upon successful application, you may receive an enrolment offer as early as August. If you are applying for a tertiary course, students are advised to complete an accommodation application at one of ANU's College prior to August, so as not to miss out on accommodation. The Tuckwell scholarship is also worth exploring if you are a Year 12 student wanting to study at ANU in 2023. More information and links are available below.

Each year, we have Year 12s who wish to attend interstate universities. If you are interested, a list of interstate admissions centre websites has been provided.

Medicine is an immensely popular course among Year 12s! If you are considering a career as a doctor or dentist, please read the UCAT information provided. Preparation is the key to success!

Lastly, you will also find information on becoming a firefighter, an economist and a paralegal, as well as a snapshot on Bond University and all it has to offer on the Gold Coast.

For more information, visit Siena Career News.