Introducing Siena Service

The Catholic school community is grounded in the belief that each person is made in the image and likeness of God.

The dignity of the human person is the starting point for a vision for a just society – the Kingdom of God. From this vision, our College actions a call to service in a spirit that responds to the presence of God in each person encountered.

Student Formation through service articulates the Gospel as it is proclaimed and lived in the contemporary Catholic Church. It is a process that is intentional, ongoing and reflective; it focuses on the growth of individuals, communities and is informed by students’ lived experiences

At Siena formation enhances learning and is made visible by asking:

• How does this service relate to learning in other areas?

• How does this connect with or extend previous learning?

• How do these new insights align with my understanding of life and the Catholic Tradition?

• How might we follow up some ideas from this learning?

• Which aspects of this service are worthwhile paying more attention to?

Our new model is based on service to:

• Our Siena College community

• Our local community

• Our global community

Each semester a Student Reflection on Siena Central:

• helps inform the model,
• is an indicator of service learning, and
• provides an opportunity for student voice and meaningful dialogue between House Group teachers, parents and students

Parent Teacher Interviews

It is wonderful to be back onsite again and we are optimistic that this will be the case going forward. Many approaches have been revamped and even enhanced after our time in lockdown, and we at Siena College have embraced those changes that have shown to be an improvement. Due to positive feedback from both parents and staff, who enjoyed the extra privacy, the quieter environment, and the ease of online meetings, we will offer Parent Teacher Interviews via Microsoft Teams this term. Completing interviews online also means we are prepared should COVID-19 restrictions necessitate another lockdown.

Year 7 to 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday, 18 March from 5.00pm to 7.30pm and Friday, 26 March between 8.30am and 3.45pm. Please note the date change to Friday, 26 March, which will now be a student free day. Online Bookings will open for Year 12 parents on Thursday, 11 March and for Years 7 to 11 parents, on Friday, 12 March. Interim Reports will be available on Siena Central prior to the interview dates. There are no comments on formal reports as parents receive comments linked to assessment tasks throughout the semester.

As Parent/Teacher Interviews are an important opportunity to develop a working and supportive relationship between subject teachers, parents and students, we believe that it is essential that the student attend. This allows the student to share their learning experience and participate in the conversation about their subject expectations.

Parents will be sent an invitation and guidelines to navigating the Interviews on Microsoft Teams closer to the time. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your daughter’s learning and how best we can assist over the coming year.

Activities Week

Years 7 to 12 Activities Week will take place from Tuesday, 30 March to Thursday, 1 April. This program is well planned and supports the learning and wellbeing of our students. We ask for your support in student attendance. Years 7 and 8 students will attend their respective camps, Years 10 and 11 students will be involved in a variety of activities run on campus and Year 12 students will be on retreat. The Year 9 Siena in the City program, runs for four days, commencing on Monday, 29 March and concluding on Thursday, 1 April.

Parents will receive individual year level notices in the coming weeks.

There have been several changes to the Wellbeing Team in 2021 and I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce everyone.

Antonella Rosati

My educational philosophy is to create a Christ centred community of learners, modelled on excellence, who know they are welcome, are challenged, are inquisitive, brave and are provided with opportunities to achieve success in an environment that is inclusive and supportive. Providing opportunities for students to develop greater resilience and empathy and working collaboratively with families to help students achieve their goals are aspects of my role that I genuinely value. I am animated by the Dominican charism that underpins all we do at Siena College because it resonates so strongly with my own vision for young people. I am delighted to be leading such a wonderful team that is committed to wellbeing, as it is integral to learning and to all aspects of our lives. Student voice is key to wellness as it gives our young people a sense of agency and ownership and I enjoy spending time with groups of students and hearing their views about what is going on in the College and in the wider community.

Becky Scott

My name is Becky Scott and I am the Leader of Wellbeing Programs, a role which includes overseeing the Transition Programs for new students and implementing the weekly Wellness Program. I have been at Siena College since 2015 and have loved being a House Group teacher in Waratah house and teaching French and English throughout that time. Ensuring a positive experience for all students I work with is extremely important to me and I thoroughly enjoy getting to know a new group of students each year and seeing them develop their skills across the years. I also have a strong interest in cocurricular programs, and I have been involved in a variety of activities in my time at Siena, including leading the Debating program for four years and attending several camps and trips. This year I will be directing the college musical, The Addams Family, and I am very excited to work with the students in the cast, crew and orchestra in this capacity. I am extremely passionate about working with young people to improve their experiences within and beyond the classroom and am delighted to join the Wellbeing Team in 2021.

Stephanie Seymour

My name is Stephanie Seymour and I am the Head of Cassia House. This is my fourth year at Siena College and I commenced my current role in Term 3 of 2020. I am also a passionate teacher of English and Literature. I consider working as Head of House a great privilege as I am able to work so directly with students, helping them to achieve their potential. My style as a teacher has always been relationship-based and based on helping students to grow and thrive as young adults, ready to take on the world. Cassia as the yellow house sees itself as especially positive and happy and we try to emphasise optimism in all that we do.

Natalie Kinsella

I am so incredibly lucky to be the Head of House for the amazing Dianella House at Siena College. I have been teaching at Siena for two years and during this time I have formed positive and meaningful relationships with students and their families. I am extremely passionate about student wellbeing and ensuring the time the students spend at school is full of goal setting and achievement, personal change, laughter and opportunity. I aim to provide support and guidance to all students so that they may become more creative, confident and compassionate individuals who are lifelong learners. I aim to create an environment that is safe and supportive, whilst allowing students to feel heard and inspired. As a Health and PE teacher, I am also very passionate about all things sport, working in teams, communication and building confidence. I love netball and barrack for the mighty Tigers in the AFL. As the mother of seventeen month old Jaxon, I encourage creativity, flexibility and innovation and can’t wait to work with all the Dianella students and families in 2021.

Laine Rice

My name is Laine Rice and I am thrilled to be the Head of House for Kurrajong in 2021. I am a passionate teacher of Health and Physical Education from Year 7 to VCE. I began my teaching career at Siena College in 2015, and I have since held the leadership positions of Head of Senior Pathways and Head of Health and Physical Education. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to take on the role of Head of House. Student wellbeing has always been an area of significant interest for me, and I look forward to working with the Kurrajong students to ensure they feel happy, safe and connected during their time at Siena College. I understand the inherent importance of positive teacher-student relationships and take great pride in ensuring this is a foundation of my teaching approach. With my Heath and Physical Education background, sport, exercise and physical activity is also of interest to me. I look forward to working with all the Kurrajong students and families in 2021.

Lauren Seymour

I am new to Siena College in 2021 and feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful staff and students. I have been teaching for eleven years in the areas of Drama, Media, English and Literature across Years 7 to 12. My passion is theatre, and the opportunities it provides on and off-stage. I directed and produced the annual musical at my previous school for ten years, and absolutely loved the interaction with the students, and seeing them develop their talents, confidence, and friendships. I truly believe that theatre is a place that brings people together, and fosters creativity, flexibility, empathy, innovation, and excellence. From the moment I stepped foot on Siena’s grounds I knew that these values were shared and celebrated. Having worked in student wellbeing for the past seven years, I am incredibly invested in the wellbeing of students and encourage them to become the best possible versions of themselves. I am committed to ensuring that every young woman at Siena feels safe, connected to her school community, and confident to take her early steps in adulthood. I have been so impressed with the friendliness, positivity and resilience demonstrated by the Waratah cohort in my short time at Siena, and I am looking forward to a fabulous year ahead!

Jennifer Lear

My name is Jen Lear and I have worked at Siena as a College Counsellor since the start of 2015. I love being part of such a passionate Wellbeing Team and feel lucky to be part of the wider Siena College community. I moved to Australia at the end of 2014, from England, where I worked for the NHS, focusing on work with Children and Families and completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Prior to this I worked as a Social Worker in Children’s Services. I work four days, Tuesday – Friday and have recently finished my maternity leave after having twin boys, who as well as their big sister keep me extra busy at home.

Lisa Ellis

My name is Lisa Ellis. I am one of counselling staff at Siena College. I work Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I am now in my third year at Siena and I love meeting with the students and supporting them on their journey. I am passionate about working with young people to help them build the skills and resilience they need to maintain their own mental health now, and into their future.

I have three young children who keep me busy when I’m not at work. When I have spare time, I love yoga, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.

Gemma Morley

My name is Gemma Morley and I have been a College Counsellor at Siena since the beginning of 2019. I have previously worked in a number of settings including Private Practice, however, I love being able to support students within a school setting. I enjoy being able to work closely with students and their families, their teachers and other external support services to provide a holistic approach to their wellbeing. In 2021 I am working Monday, Tuesday and Thursday until early May when I will be going on maternity leave to have my third child. When I am not at Siena, I am busy being a Mum to my two young children, a three year old girl and a six year old boy.

Year 7 Instrumental Music Lessons

The Music Department has been abuzz with excited Year 7 student attending their first music lessons for the year. We have a few spots available for some instruments if any students would like to still enrol in music lessons. Please contact music@siena.vic.edu.au for further information. Students are reminded to store their instruments in the storage area and not in their lockers please and bring along a folder for their tutor books and music. Timetables can be found on Siena Central under the Co-curricular pages.

Siena’s Night of Jazz soloists – Auditions Week 6

Calling all jazz musicians to audition for a solo spot at Siena’s Night of Jazz. This is a fabulous opportunity to perform jazz standards, improvise, work with the house band and special guest artist. The signup sheet is located outside the music office, near Studio 3 in the West Wing building. Students are asked to prepare a jazz song for the event and audition. Auditions will be held during Week 6 and we encourage all students in our jazz ensembles, instrumentalists, and vocalists to audition and to prepare their solos with their instrumental teacher. Please be advised that Siena’s Night of Jazz will be held on Thursday, 22 April 2021, not in March as previously advertised.

Siena’s Night of Jazz Junior Jammers

For our budding musicians who are interested in Jazz to sign up for Junior Jammers. Mr Bennier will be teaching the students one piece and getting to start improving on their instrument. It is a fun and relaxed introduction to our Jazz program as they all play together. Students will have an exciting opportunity to perform at Siena’s Night of Jazz and supported by the house band and guest artist. The signup sheet is located outside the music office, near studio 3 in the West Wing building.

Junior Ensemble Rehearsals commenced this week

A friendly reminder that Junior Choir and Junior Strings rehearsals started this week and Junior Band will commence rehearsals next week. It has been a great start for these ensembles, and we look forward to hearing them play at the Autumn Concert next term. Students who learn an instrument outside of Siena are encouraged to join our ensemble program. Please email music@siena.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.

Musical – The Addams Family

The creative team would like to thank all students who have auditioned for the combined school Musical, The Addams Family. The first rehearsal will be Tuesday, 2 March for both cast and orchestra and we look forward to working with all students involved during the production.

Last few seats available - seating is strictly limited due to COVID-19 restrictions so do not delay!

Siena College has partnered with Edstart, Australia’s leading education finance provider, to make it easier for our families to manage school fee payments. Families can use Edstart to cover any items appearing on your College fee statement including tuition fees, instrumental music charges, VET charges, fees for national or overseas trips and amounts in arrears.

With Edstart Pay+ you can smooth out your fees across the next few years without incurring any service or interest charges. Edstart Extend is a payment option through which you can reduce your annual school fee spend by extending payments for up to five years after graduation.

Weekly, fortnight or monthly payments can be made through Edstart.

For further information, visit the website or watch this short video.

Please note, in providing information about Edstart, we do not provide any recommendations, brokering or advice services. We do not receive referral fees, commissions or any other remuneration from Edstart.

In the latest edition of Siena Career News, parents and students will be able to learn more about a new postgraduate Engineering degree at Monash University and a new Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations at Deakin University.

There is also information on careers that combine Business and STEM and Humanities and STEM.

Aspiring medical students will want to read up on the UCAT and see which universities use this test to select prospective medical students. On Monday, 1 March we will be hosting a guest speaker at Siena who will explain what the UCAT is and share a few tips with students who are thinking of applying for Medicine. Students should check their emails for the booking link.

If you are interested in blogging there is an article on how to make a career from your blogs!

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund Applications

Applications for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) are now open. If you hold a valid Health Care Card (HCC), Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or are a temporary foster parent and are a first-time applicant you may be eligible for a $1,000 fee discount.

If you believe you are eligible, please fill out and return the CSEF Application Form before 25 June, 2021.

If you applied for the CSEF in 2020 at Siena College, you do not need to complete an application form in 2021 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

For further information regarding the CSEF, please visit the Victorian Government website or refer to this information flyer.