Student Formation: Year 8 Dominican Day

Last week, our Year 8 students participated in their annual Dominican Day held at Holy Cross Centre in Templestowe. The theme of the day was Being Catholic in Contemporary Society, and we explored it through the lens of our 2023 College Theme, Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. Students have been discussing the concept of a journey and what this means as part of our Catholic Christian tradition during Religious Education classes. They also looked at the meaning of accompaniment through the work of Vinnies.

Gathered as a community of faith at Holy Cross, sessions included a creative response involving labyrinth themed footprints, the unpacking and discussion of the Emmaus story, and an interactive workshop facilitated by members of the Vinnies School Team. The Dominican Day is an integral part of a Siena education and represents our commitment as members of the Dominican family. All Year 9 students will also be participating in their Dominican Day experience next week.

Staff Formation: Siena Professional Learning

Siena staff members regularly participate in Professional Learning sessions. Head of Justice Education, Bronwyn Ilott led us in this week's session to explore the 2023 National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for the Generations. Staff members had the opportunity to appreciate visuals, writing, music and professional reading groups, and they also had the opportunity to encounter the work of First Nations writers, including Kirli Saunders OAM, Oodgeroo and Stan Grant. National Reconciliation Week runs from Saturday, 27 May to Saturday, 3 June.

Assessment and Study Skills

We have commenced preparing our Unit 3/4 students for the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Thursday, 15 June by undergoing practice GATs from previous years and finetuning exam writing techniques.

Year 9 to 11 students have been focusing on study skills and exam preparation. All students participated in an Exam Preparation session this week. The presentation is available in the Examination tile on Siena Central. Subject specific revision guides are available on the Siena Central Course Pages. Students are also encouraged to access the study timetable proforma located within the tile and commence revision in the coming week.

Our Year 7 to 8 students participated in a Study Skills seminar on learning behaviours and study techniques. The presentations and booklets are also available via the Learning Behaviours tile on Siena Central.

Examinations

Students are requested to arrive ten minutes before examinations commence. Between each examination, students are expected to remain at the College and complete self revision in the Private Study Room in the Learning Centre. They may leave after their last examination for the day. Full winter school uniform and the Siena College school bags are required. No mobile phones, smart watches or other unauthorised digital devices are permitted at the examination venue.

Examinations will not be rescheduled if a student is absent. If they cannot attend an examination, please notify Siena College before 9.00am by emailing the Head of House to explain the absence.

Year 11 Accelerated students will be attending their Year 11 examinations instead of their Year 12 classes. If they do not have an exam, they should be attending their Year 12 Accelerated classes.

Key Dates

Student Reflections on Classroom Learning Indicators

Next week, all students commence their learning reflection across all subjects based on the Classroom Learning Indicators. Upon completion, parents and guardians will receive a notification link via email and may view the learning reflection responses.

Semester 1 Reports

The Semester Report provides feedback on the five specific Classroom Learning Indicators and includes all assessment task results. For Years 7 to 11, an overall percentage score will be provided, taking into consideration the individual weightings for each task. If a percentage score is not given, a letter grade is used, such as 'NS' (school sanctioned absence), 'NA' (no penalty, not assessed) or a score of zero. At Year 12, it will consist of 'S' (satisfactory) or 'N' (not satisfactory) for each assessment task. Semester Reports will not have teacher comments as feedback has been given throughout the semester and is targeted towards the assessment task. Due to Staff Week, Semester 1 Reports will be available on Friday, 21 July 2023.

Book today! Only one week until the Careers Showcase on Thursday, 1 June at 7.00pm.

Career Panels include:

• Allied Health Panel A: Exercise Physiology, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Nursing
• Allied Health Panel B: Dietetics, Podiatry, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy
• Architecture, Project Management and Town Planning
• Business
• Law
• Criminology (Emerging Industries) – including CyberSafety
• Psychology
• Marketing and Media
• Medicine
• Sports Management
• STEAM

Three panel sessions will take place during the evening, commencing at 7.10pm, 7.50pm and 8.30pm. The duration for each session is thirty minutes. Please ensure you select a Career Category for each session time and do not select the same Career Category in more than one session. Book here.

Also on Thursday, 1 June, a Tertiary Studies Expo will be held at 3.45pm to 6.00pm in the College Hall. Exhibitors include: all Victorian Universities, Private Colleges, Defence Force and GAP Year Program organisers. Bookings are also required for this event.

Last Week of Term 2

Friday, 23 June is the last day of Term 2. Teaching staff will participate in Staff Week from Monday, 10 July, which will be dedicated to the marking of examinations, preparation of reports and professional learning. Term 3 commences on Monday, 17 July.

An article by Director and Cofounder of The HOPEFULL Institute, Glen Gerreyn, struck a chord with me as it aligns so strongly with the work we do with students in building resilience, grit and empowerment – all qualities reflected in the topic of Student Agency. Student Agency is a hot topic of conversation among educators at the moment as it is a key theme in the OECD Future of Education Skills 2030.

As parents, guardians and teachers, we sometimes want to ‘rescue’ young people from feeling uncomfortable when they are faced with challenges, but allowing them to cope and take responsibility is critical to building agency. We need to be modelling and teaching the skills to give students agency over their future.

This above infographic provides five drivers that support students to be proactive in their learning and personal growth.

"Week 3 of Term 2 marked Siena’s annual SRC Week, where we came together as a whole school community with a collective goal of fundraising for the Kopanang Community in South Africa. We kicked off our fundraising with a fun Kahoot! on Monday, led by our Year 12 leaders. On Tuesday, our Year 10 House Captains hosted a disco for staff and students. It was great to see many students across year levels and staff enjoying the fun filled event, buying glow sticks and putting in song requests. The disco was followed by hot chocolate and Tim Tam biscuit sales during recess on Wednesday. The Year 11 House Captains loved selling the hot chocolates. They were the perfect treat for a cold morning.

The Siena spirit was on full display throughout the week, which made it effortless to reach our fundraising goal. On Thursday, our Year 12 House Captains hosted the Staff versus Year 12s volleyball game. Both participants and spectators enjoyed the friendly competition tremendously. The Siena staff came out on top, much to some of the Year 12s' disbelief! On Friday, the Year 9 House Captains and some Year 12 leaders hosted a sausage sizzle at lunchtime, which was the perfect way to wrap up the fundraising week.

We want to take this opportunity to warmly thank everyone who helped out during SRC Week and for the generous donations. On behalf of the Siena community, we are pleased to be able to gift approximately $1,600 to the Kopanang Community."

Year 11 Cassia House Captains, Amy and Melania

Year 12 Environmental Science students enjoyed an excursion to Mt Rothwell earlier this term, witnessing biodiversity up close. The conservation efforts of Mt Rothwell and the Odonata Foundation have really helped some of Victoria’s threatened species. Students also had the opportunity to attend an information session and conduct some fieldwork.

At 473 hectares, Mt Rothwell is Victoria's largest feral-predator-free ecosystem. Foxes and cats were eradicated from the property more than a decade ago so that native mammal species could be reintroduced. Mt Rothwell currently holds approximately 80% of the mainland eastern barred bandicoot population which is currently recognised as the only stable self-sustaining population.

Students were able to set traps to catch and release some Victorian species, including potoroos and southern brown bandicoots. On a guided spotlight tour, we were lucky enough to encounter over fifty animals including tawny frogmouths, brushtail and ringtail possums, rufous bettongs and brushtail swamp wallabies. Students were able to use the collected data as part of their assessment in Unit 3. Highlights of the excursion included watching dingoes being fed, spotting eagle nests right near the education centre, and witnessing sunset on the You Yangs Regional Park.

Reflection by Year 12 Student, Priya D

"As part of my studies in Year 12 Environmental Science, my class was able to visit Mt Rothwell, a conservation reserve for native Australian plants and animals. Recently, we have been learning about biodiversity and the conservation efforts required to reduce the various levels of threats. We focused on eastern barred bandicoot, a species previously extinct in the wild which Mt Rothwell has the largest self sustaining population currently.

It was truly enriching to put our knowledge to use in the real world. We went spotlighting, where we saw so many Australian animals in their natural habitat, which was a new experience for me. We also set up our own animal traps to measure the diversity levels within specific populations. Later, we got to tabulate and collate data from the animals found in the traps. This was a hands-on experience where I was able to put my learning to practice. What an amazing experience to see animals we have studied in real life."

The Languages Department has organised a Language Photography competition for Year 7 and 8 students. Students will select their favourite word in the language that they are studying and create a poster to represent it. The competition closing date is Thursday, 15 June and the winner (one per language) will receive a prize.

Year 9 French by Dean Fleischer

In Semester 1, students have been learning to speak in French about their own little world, in areas such as their family lives, weekly activities, daily routines and how they help around the house. Students were asked to record themselves talking about the activities that they do during their free time. Year 9 student, Milly J, produced an outstanding recording exceeding our expectations. Please listen to the recording. Well done to Milly for speaking so fluently – the accuracy of intonation and the ability to say the [r] sound so perfectly are remarkable.

Four Way Test Public Speaking Showcase

Congratulations to Year 11 student, Charlotte L who placed third in the Grand final of the Four Way Test Public Speaking Showcase. Charlotte received a $100 Dymocks voucher and $1000 towards her nominated charity, the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands.

The annual Four Way Test Youth Public Speaking Showcase is conducted by the Rotary Club of Balwyn Inc. and is open to all Year 10 and 11 students attending schools in the City of Boroondara. The 2023 Showcase theme is: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Students will have the opportunity to speak for five to six minutes relating to the theme.

Ainger Peck Public Speaking Award

Siena College students recently took part in the Ainger Peck Public Speaking Award heats at the Melbourne Girls' College. Sophia V, Emily S and Kristen K spoke eloquently and presented their speeches articulately. Congratulations to Year 12 student, Sophia V who came in third place. Well done to these intrepid speakers who spoke with such flair and confidence.

"The annual upcoming Antonio de Montesinos Public Speaking Competition is getting closer where talented speakers will compete for this esteemed title. This competition provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their admirable public speaking skills, as well as develop them further, and provide them with a chance to discuss issues they are passionate about. The award is named after the renowned sixteenth century Dominican, Antonio de Montesinos who preached against the enslavement and harsh treatment of Indigenous peoples on the island of Hispaniola (modern Haiti and the Dominican Republic) assisted by his Dominican community at Santo Domingo and his Prior Friar Pedro de Córdoba.

To compete, students must first qualify as their year level public speaking champion and then on the highly anticipated evening, they all compete for the title in front of an audience of friends, family and staff. The competitors will first present a four to five minute prepared speech based on the 2023 College Theme: ‘Pay Attention. Be Astonished. Tell About It.’ The competitor will then present a two to three minute impromptu speech on an unseen topic, which allows them to exemplify their skills of logic and improvisation. We look forward to seeing many Public Speaking enthusiasts compete and showcase their articulation and communication skills to win this elusive title."

Debating and Public Speaking Captain, Amali H

The Careers Showcase will take place next week Thursday, 1 June at 7.00pm.

A group of thirty-six inspiring presenters across eleven Career Categories will be available to discuss their career journey to students and families from Years 9 to 12.

Categories include:

• Allied Health Panel A: Exercise Physiology, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Nursing
• Allied Health Panel B: Dietetics, Podiatry, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy
• Architecture, Project Management and Town Planning
• Business
• Law
• Criminology (Emerging Industries) – including CyberSafety
• Psychology
• Marketing and Media
• Medicine
• Sports Management
• STEAM

Three panel sessions will take place during the evening, commencing at 7.10pm, 7.50pm and 8.30pm. The duration for each session is thirty minutes.

Book here.

Siena Alumnae Wall

The Siena Alumnae Wall is a special tribute to our alumnae and is located in the Convent Cloisters. You can register here to have your name inscribed on the Alumnae Wall.

Inscription registrations for 2022/2023 will close at the end of June 2023 and then be unveiled later in the year. Inscriptions are $50 per name.

For further information, you can email Alumnae Coordinator, Imma Boubouras at alumnae@siena.vic.edu.au.

To purchase Trivia Night tickets, click here.

As we head towards Subject Selection next term for students, the Siena Career News becomes essential reading! The universities and TAFEs ramp up their engagement activities to give students the opportunity to do some research, come on campus and experience a bit of what university is like. The details of any Course Information evenings, Open Days and School Holiday are always listed in the latest Siena Career News.

The Tertiary Studies Expo is taking place in the Hall on Thursday, 1 June from 3.45pm to 6.00pm, we have the Siena Tertiary and Careers Expo. Students are welcome to drop in straight after school, or students may want to attend later if they intend to visit the annual Careers Showcase commencing at 7.00pm. There will be a sausage sizzle running at 6.00pm for families who wish to attend both the Expo and Showcase.

In the latest edition of the Siena Career News:

• Information on Early Entry University Programs (for Year 12s)
• New Courses at Swinburne University
• An invitation for Year 11 and 12 students to attend the Monash University Business Explorer Program
• Tech and Trades Day at RMIT University
• Overseas School Exchange Program
• Information on the fastest growing jobs and those declining
• Courses at the Melbourne Cricket Academy
• Careers in Allied Health
• Information on where you can study Human Resources
• Courses in Nursing and Midwifery
• Focus on JMC Academy and James Cook University

For further details, please visit our website.

Limited Spots Available for Year 7 2024 Enrolments

We now invite applications for Year 7 2025, and have limited places available in 2024 across all year levels. For our Year 7 intake, offers are made in towards the start of Term 4 in a student's Grade 5 year. Applications can be made at any time via our College website.

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.

If you have any questions for our Head of Admissions, Kylie Clements, about our enrolment process, our programs or our facilities, please don’t hesitate to contact her at admissions@siena.vic.edu.au or call 9835 0200.

Current Parent and Student Testimonials

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 you are a temporary foster parent or 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 23 June 2023.

If you applied for the CSEF in 2022 at Siena College, you do not need to complete an application form in 2023 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.

Please contact Siena College Finance Office on 9835 0220 if you have any queries.

On behalf of the Xavier Social Justice Network, I invite you to the 2023 Xavier Social Justice Network Dinner in support of Jesuit Refugee Service.

Our inspiring speakers for the evening are the Director of JRS, Tamara Domicelj, and JRS’ Policy, Advocacy and Communication Head, Shuja Jamal, with the evening moderated by Chris Runciman (OX). The event will be held on Thursday, 8 June from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.

The dinner has become a significant event in the Xavier Social Justice Network calendar. It provides an opportunity for people to learn more about the current issues facing refugees in Australia and challenging us all to think about ways we can get involved to assist those living at the margins of our society. All proceeds from the evening will support the work of Jesuit Refugee Service.

It would be wonderful if you are able to attend this dinner and support the cause. All booking details are included within the flyer and here is the booking link.

Kind Regards,

Danusia Kaska
XSJN Coordinator