Term 2 has once again cast a spotlight on the complex, diverse and relational nature of education. As every organisation, community and family in Victoria has been called upon to adapt to restrictions once again, we have been reminded of the individual strengths and collective efforts of all. In this final newsletter for the term, I commend once again the students and staff of Siena College. The staff of Siena have, without exception, demonstrated the depth of their professionalism, commitment and skill, always, but particularly in recent weeks. As course completion and revision has taken place, it has been quite inspiring to also see great tenacity amongst students. At a recent assembly with Year 12 students, they were reminded of this important time of ‘going the distance’ in a spirit of determination, self belief and positivity. We wish all students undertaking semester exams over the course of this week all the very best. This assessment period is intended to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their learning, experience the rigour and routine of formal, timed assessments and to affirm their growth over the course of the semester. For staff it provides feedback regarding student progress which in turn informs their ongoing teaching and learning practice. We wish all families a safe and relaxing term break; and for students, hopefully some good winter reading!
Acknowledging Michael Hanrahan
At the end of this term, Michael Hanrahan, Director of Strategy and Risk and distinguished teacher, will conclude his time at Siena College. This brings to a close eleven years of outstanding service and exceptional collaboration with staff, students and families. Michael has been a friend and mentor, a servant leader, a quick witted, humble and intelligent colleague who will be sorely missed. As Director of Strategy and Risk, Michael has supported the work of two Board Committees, Risk and Policy, and in doing so has been instrumental in shaping this critical work. Through Michael’s work with these Committees, with the Board and the College Leadership Team, Siena College is firmly and widely recognised as a College of best practice in the areas of risk, policy and strategic innovation. We are indebted to Michael for this over many years. More recently, Michael’s strengths and expertise have been instrumental to our navigation of the operational aspects of the pandemic in what it means for all staff and students to remain safe and well onsite. Michael looks forward now to a period of long service leave, time with his wife Ansalie to explore new horizons and no doubt, a good rest!
Do not walk behind me, I may not lead. Do not walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. (Albert Camus)
Michael, thank you for walking with us as our friend. Go well.
Elizabeth Hanney
Principal
Mission and Identity
Siena Service – Student Reflections
Service is one of the four pillars of Dominican spirituality. At Siena we provide opportunities for students to serve one another, the College and wider community as part of engaging their whole person - head, heart and hands - in a systematic and critical synthesis of faith, culture and life.
Siena Service aims and objectives:
to be authentic to our Dominican tradition of service in a contemporary and changing context
to open up a space for encounter and making meaning to support student achievement, engagement and wellbeing
to assist students to develop empathy and understanding of the lives of others, and foster a willingness to help make a difference in our world
Across this week students have been completing their reflections, with the following questions as a focus:
What service have I participated in during Semester One?
What have I learned from this service?
How is this learning connected to learning in my subjects or in other areas?
You can access and read your daughter’s Siena Service Reflection via Siena Central.
Supporting the Kopanang Community Trust
We have partnered with Kenshi Candles to raise funds for the Kopanang Community Trust.
Founded by Melbourne teenager, Liam Foldi, Kenshi Candles is a social enterprise which donates over half its profit to fund charities and worthy causes that make a real difference in the world. Kenshi Candles are hand-poured in Melbourne with the full process, from pouring to packaging, completed in-house with help from members of the Chin refugee community. Learn more about Kenshi Candles here.
I was privileged to accompany our students on the 2019 South African Immersion and work alongside the women of the Kopanang Community. Each candle purchased through Siena College will fund simple food needs for a small family for a day, or over-the-counter medication for sickness alleviation.
We were delighted to welcome all students back to onsite learning today.
The Year 9 and Year 10 exam schedule commenced today onsite due to the lifting of restrictions.
It is important that students have an established study routine, a distraction-free and designated study area and are well prepared for the examination period. We highly recommend the latest edition of SienaCast, as Year 12 students, Victoria Zikas and Isabella Boussioutas, provide insights to younger year levels on examination tips and tricks. Worth a listen for all students!
Students and parents are always welcome to contact subject teachers for any assistance. All documentation related to exams can be found on the Examination Tile on the Siena Central student and parent portals.
A new date for the postponed GAT has not yet been communicated but as soon as the date is made known by VCAA, we will notify students and parents via a news item. Year 11 and Year 12 timetabled classes will be held on Wednesday, 9 June as usual.
The VCAA end of year exam schedule can be found here.
A reminder that the last day for students is Friday, 18 June. Teaching staff will be on campus until Friday, 25 June.
May we all take some time to breathe and count our blessings. Despite the bumps along the road, may our spirit not be daunted, but our tenacity and resilience continue to win the day. We wish our students strength and clarity as they commence their examinations.
Donna Laughlin
Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching
Wellbeing
Mindfulness
Over the last decade, mindfulness has been slowly rising in popularity with many individuals practising it on a regular basis. Evidence based research has found that there are many benefits to mindfulness which has prompted us to promote this practice as part of our Wellness Program at Siena College.
Mindfulness can be described as attention training for your brain, enabling you to focus on something without judgement and to stimulate curiosity. Mindfulness can be practised in a number of ways and is something that can be done by everyone - no matter what your age! It has been practised by many cultures around the world, but it is not exclusively affiliated to any particular philosophy.
Mindfulness helps improve memory, engagement and performance. Its positive effect on the brain can improve immunity, mental wellbeing, learning ability, emotional health and even time management. It is especially important in this era of information overload as our attention is constantly being pulled in many directions making us more distracted.
Parents and guardians can learn the best way to introduce or support mindfulness practices with their children by reading and hearing more about it on SchoolTV. You may even find that implementing it into your daily lives can have an overall positive impact on family relationships. Click here for the Mindfulness edition of SchoolTV
Antonella Rosati
Acting Principal
Careers Showcase rescheduled date
We are delighted to advise that we have a new date for the Careers Showcase - Tuesday, 17 August commencing at 7.00pm.
The bookings you made previously via TryBooking will simply transfer to the new date of 17 August so please retain your emails confirming the sessions you have booked. Our aim is to secure the same speakers for the August date.
For those families who had not registered before and would still like to attend, please register and select your three preferred career sessions please click here. For a step-by-step explanation of the process for session selection clickhere. If your preferred session is booked out please check another timeslot for availability. Registrations will close at 9.00am on Tuesday, 10 August.
It is imperative families register for the Showcase as we need to cap the number of attendees per session due to COVID restrictions.
Please direct any queries regarding the Careers Showcase to Liz Merrett, Alumnae Coordinator, at lmerrett@siena.vic.edu.au
Liz Merrett
Alumnae Coordinator
Music News
On the 26 May we were fortunate to have the Autumn Concert featuring many of our ensembles including Junior Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Canti Dolci, Junior String Ensemble , St Cecilia Strings, Senior String Ensemble, Folkus, Groove Train, Sisters of Swing, Guitar Ensemble, Galway Flutes and Clarinet Choir. It was a fantastic night of performances from all ensembles and for many students it was their first performance at Siena College. This concert was watched by many via a Zoom Webinar and several family members across the state. Students and Directors all enjoyed performing back in our beautiful Susan Alberti Auditorium and should be congratulated for working so hard in rehearsals and for the performance itself.
Galway Flutes
Junior Choir
Kerryn McGillen
Director of Music
Siena Career News
The last edition of Siena Career News for this term is jam packed with information and resources to assist students navigate their career journey.
It was unfortunate that our Annual Careers Showcase had to be rescheduled, but we can look forward to hearing from our notable alumnae in August, right around the time students are making decisions about subject selection and university preferences. Come prepared with all of your questions about particular careers and tertiary courses!
In Siena Career News you can read about new tertiary courses, early offer programs (for Year 12s), a great GAP Year program with ADF and the answer to a popular question: the difference between Commerce and Business at university.
Enjoy reading and have a great break!
• News from ACU o Undergraduate Psychology – What You Need to Know o Sports Courses at ACU o ACU Guarantee Program o Studying Nutrition at ACU • Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production at AFTRS • Diploma of Paramedical Science at VU • News from Monash University o Do it with DATA: Tackling Climate Change o Six ways to study Primary Education at Monash o Engineering Makerspace o Stories from Creative Arts and Architecture Graduates o Discover Business Interactive Event o Bachelor of Criminology • News from Federation University o New Courses on Offer in 2022 o Bachelor of Education Studies • Bond University Year 12 Entry for 2022 - Early Offers • Army Support Gap Year 2022 • STEM Hub • Business Degrees in Victoria in 2021 • Commerce Degrees in Victoria in 2021 • Snapshot of ACU in 2021
