Term 2 promises to be another significant period at Siena College. Next week, we celebrate St Catherine's Day with the College Eucharist at St Dominic’s Parish and various activities organised by our Student Representative Council. It is a time when we reflect deeply on the Dominican Sisters in the Solomon Islands and our fundraising efforts support their community initiatives.

Term 2 is also a time for students to contemplate their learning and wellbeing goals as they prepare for end-of-semester assessments and examinations for students in Years 9, 10 and 11. The Enhancement Program will assist all students in managing time, prioritising their work and preparing for exams. Students will be encouraged to strive for personal excellence so they can take pride in their achievements.

In Term 2, ensuring Child Safety continues to be a top priority at Siena College, emphasised through our Wellness Program. We have arranged guest speakers to cover essential topics such as Cyber Safety for Year 7 and Responsible Partying for Year 10 students. Furthermore, a student led assembly will delve into these matters, aligning with Siena’s commitment to fostering respectful relationships as part of our broader educational approach.

GSV Sport continues to provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in sports and compete against other schools. All students are invited to sign up for one of the sports on offer. We eagerly anticipate gathering with the entire Siena community at events such as the Night of Jazz, the Mother's Day Breakfast and the Careers Showcase. On behalf of the Siena College staff, I extend best wishes to all our students for a successful and enjoyable Term 2.

It was delightful to welcome students back to Siena after the Easter break. As a reminder, the Heads of House, the Director of Students and I are here as essential points of contact for parents and guardians who wish to discuss matters related to their daughter's wellbeing. We encourage parents and guardians to keep the lines of communication open with us, especially if there are any changes on the home front.

Throughout Term 1, the Child Safeguarding Committee diligently addressed critical issues affecting our student body. The committee focused on drafting and revising our concussion protocols in alignment with recommendations from school governance bodies. For the latest information regarding head injuries including guidelines for returning to school, please refer to the Royal Children's Hospital website. Any plans for returning to school after a head injury should be discussed with a medical professional and communicated to the school through the Nurse or Head of House.

Child Safety Update

The Siena College Child Safety Committee has commenced for 2024, continuing the important work in maintaining Child Safety across the College. I would like to introduce to you our student representatives:

	“Hello Siena community, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Siena College Child Safeguarding Committee. I am an approachable and bubbly person who is always up for a chat; I am looking forward to engaging in conversations with my peers about various issues and working together to find resolutions.” Year 9, Emma M
	“I love spending time with my friends and family, listening to music, and taking part in extracurricular activities like netball and public speaking. This year, I am very excited to be part of the Child Safeguarding Committee in making sure that every student feels safe, welcome and supported at all times at Siena. I am always up for a chat and I am absolutely open to hearing any feedback from students on how we could improve Child Safety in our school at any time.” Year 10, Ciara W
	"Being a very social and outgoing person, I like to put myself out there. I am part of many different communities, including my basketball team and a public speaking group. I want students to feel that they can happily come to school with a positive mindset and that they always feel safe. I am always here to talk to for suggestions or even if you just want to stop by for a friendly chat!" Year 9, Kristen K

Managing Semester 1 Examination Stress

Navigating the pressures of school examinations can be daunting for teenagers, but adopting effective stress management techniques can make a significant difference. Encouraging teens to prioritise self care is essential; ensuring they get enough sleep, maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity are all ways parents can help their children alleviate their stress levels.

Encouraging open communication about their feelings and concerns surrounding exams also provides an outlet for stress. While these conversations can and do happen at school, I encourage parents of students embarking on examinations this semester to speak with their children about how they are feeling about these summative assessments.

Promoting relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness or hobbies they enjoy can offer moments of reprieve during intense study periods, ultimately fostering a healthier approach to academic challenges. I would like to share with you a suite of resources written by Headspace, which teach parents and adolescents how to take a ‘step back’ from stress so they can be ready to respond to specific thoughts and situations. The resources can be found here.

This year marks the introduction of our new Wellness program, which runs fortnightly on Tuesdays during Week A, Period 5. The focus of Wellness this year is on the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) aimed at supporting students' self regulation, relationships and overall wellbeing, which enhances student engagement and academic achievement. Our goal is to assist and inspire all our students to thrive using the BSEM, and to cultivate a school environment characterised by support and encouragement for our students. Strong relationships are crucial and it is essential for every student to experience daily success.

The domains within the BSEM are Body, Relationships, Stamina, Engagement and Character. Each domain represents foundational principles and evidence based practices that inform daily classroom instruction. Every term, we will concentrate on a new domain of the BSEM. In Term 2, our focus is on Stamina. Stamina entails sustained effort, perseverance and resilience. It is an opportunity to instil the belief that 'We never give up'. As students develop self regulatory skills for learning, a focus on stamina recognises the need for scaffolded opportunities to gradually build their capacities.

Stamina for learning encompasses four specific areas: Growth Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience and Stamina for Independent Learning. By providing opportunities to learn, practice and reinforce stamina in various ways, we are confident that students can thrive once they develop the confidence to confront life's challenges - both big and small - with strategies that have the potential to endure a lifetime. We eagerly anticipate implementing this program throughout the term.

All staff and students are preparing to celebrate the life and legacy of our patron saint, St Catherine of Siena, whose Feast Day falls on Monday, 29 April. This week, our dedicated staff are engaged in professional learning sessions, delving deep into the essence of St Catherine's spirit in the context of 2024. Through readings and enriching discussions, they have explored how St Catherine's spirit manifests in our classrooms and throughout our College grounds, while also contemplating the pressing justice issues that would ignite her passion for action in today's world.

Our College community will gather in St Dominic’s Parish on the morning of Tuesday, 30 April to acknowledge and celebrate St Catherine. Our eucharistic celebration will be presided over by our College Chaplain, Fr Kevin Toomey OP. As a symbol of unity and respect, all students are expected to attend dressed in their full winter uniform, complete with a crossover tie and blazer.

“Catherine of Siena calls across the centuries with frightening clarity. Catherine of Siena becomes a woman to be reckoned with again. As long as there are poor among us, Catherine of Siena is a woman to be reckoned with again. As long as there is war anywhere, Catherine of Siena is a woman to be reckoned with again. As long as the church is more an institution than a vehicle of the Gospel, then Catherine of Siena is a woman to be reckoned with again. As long as any woman, anywhere, is demeaned or diminished or dismissed as foolish or incompetent or lesser in the sight of God… then Catherine of Siena is a woman to be reckoned with again.” Joan Chittister

SRC Week

Next week, our Student Representative Council (SRC) will be orchestrating various fundraising events for SRC Week, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting the impactful work of the Dominican Sisters in the Solomon Islands. Over the years, our fundraising endeavours have significantly enhanced infrastructure and facilities, even facilitating the acquisition of essential resources like a vehicle. SRC Week, coupled with the commemoration of St Catherine, serves as a catalyst for our students, inspiring them to become proactive agents of change, collaborating to enact meaningful and tangible transformations in our global community.

Dominican Sisters in the Solomon Islands

Maytime Fair

This year, Siena College partners with Xavier College and other institutions to support Jesuit Mission. At the Maytime Fair on Saturday, 4 May held at Xavier College Senior Campus, Siena College will host two stalls selling show bags. Proceeds will aid Jesuit Mission's work in Asia and Africa. Students are encouraged to volunteer and will be supervised by Siena College staff, fostering a spirit of service inspired by St Catherine of Siena. To purchase tickets or learn more about the Maytime Fair, click here.

Reflection by Year 9 Waratah House Captain, Maddison B

"During Term 1, Waratah fundraised for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion campaign during Lent. In the first few weeks of Term 1, Gwen Michener from Caritas Australia spoke to the Waratah cohort during assembly to educate us about the problems the vulnerable face in Australia and overseas. She provided valid insight into the work of Caritas, sharing stories of many people like Memory from Malawi, who once faced many barriers in her life and is now the first female carpenter in her village with the help of Caritas. Gwen explained to us that despite being born into a poorer family, Memory is now taking her future into her own hands despite the barriers she has faced and now overcome.

Waratah House Captains, following Gwen’s visit to Siena, attended the official launch of Project Compassion at the Academy of Mary Immaculate in Fitzroy. Under the direction of three Caritas employees, the House Captains participated in a moving liturgy and listened to how the organisation allocates funding to projects to make a difference in struggling communities.

Driven by the House Captains and a core group of students, Waratah ran awareness initiatives and campaigns through Weeks 3 to 6 with activities including a Bake Sale, Icy Pole Sale, Hot Cross Bun Sale and Gold Coin donations. Gwen then visited Siena one last time during Week 8 to explain to us the importance of our fundraisers and the positive impacts they can have on the people in our world who are not offered the same opportunities as us. In total, $1,941.31 will be donated to Caritas to support their work in making our world a better place ‘For all Future Generations’."

Year 12 Environmental Science students travelled on an excursion to Mt Rothwell where they experienced biodiversity and conservation efforts, and witnessed how Mt Rothwell and the Odonata Foundation have really helped some of Victoria’s threatened species. They go on this excursion as part of their first area of study and use data they collect in their first assessment task.

At four hundred and seventy-three 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 eighty percent of the mainland eastern barred bandicoot population, which is currently recognised as the only stable self sustaining population, as well as a strong population of the brush-tail rock-wallaby, a species which we have learned about in depth.

Students were able to set traps to catch and release some brush-tail rock-wallabies. They tabulated their weight and sex, and identified whether they had any pouch young. On a guided spotlight tour, we were lucky enough to encounter over fifty animals including eagles, brushtail and ringtail possums, and rufous bettongs, to name a few. It is a powerful and profound experience to see conservation strategies in action, and to interacted with endangered species up close and personal.

In March, Year 8 Geography students participated in a day of fieldwork. Students had been studying physical geography with a particular focus on coastal environments. Our field trip was designed to study, compare and contrast two coastal environments – the ocean beach at Sorrento and Rye front beach. These sites provided opportunities to examine coastal geographic processes such as erosion and deposition, and the typical landform features that can result from these. The students were also assessing the impact and value of various management strategies implemented by humans. For example, local council developments and infrastructure in terms of facilities for tourism and management of the coastlines at both sites.

Our Year 8 Geographers gathered and collated data by taking notes, constructing annotated field sketches and recording photographic evidence. The data they collected will form the basis of a formal Geography fieldwork report which will be submitted for assessment. The day was very successful; even the weather was very good! Many thanks to Ms Newman and Ms Hall, who also accompanied the students on the day.

Reflection by Year 8, Sienna C

"Attending the Geography fieldwork excursion helped me understand what erosion looks like in a coastal landscape, such as headlands, stumps and stacks. I learned the differences between backwash and longshore drift. The highlight was seeing what a coastal landscape that has erosion looks like and I was amazed at how big headlands are."

"Our Senior Art students in Year 10 to 12 visited the outstanding 2024 Top Arts exhibition and Josh Muir’s exhibition, JXSH MVIR FOREVER I LIVE, at the Koorie Heritage Trust.

At Top Arts, students enjoyed a folio session where they studied the visual diaries of the exhibitors, supporting their art making processes. By engaging with the artworks on display, students found it fascinating to be exposed to the various themes and diversity in the art forms that the VCE art students have explored. From faces popping out of portraits and leering from walls, to latex skins lying on a plinth, to staring at the highly engaging puppet like sculptures, it was a fully immersive experience.

At the second exhibition, students were struck by the vibrancy and street art style in which artworks by the late Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Barkindji artist, Josh Muir explored the journey of First Nations People through a contemporary lens."

Year 12 Art Creative Practice students, Bella F, Eden F, Steph D and Debbie-Rose N

Term 2 has kicked off with excitement for our VCE Drama students in Year 11 and 12. Earlier this week, they attended the VCE Drama Top Class Drama performances at the Melbourne Recital Centre. There, they experienced a variety of Year 12 Drama solo performance examination examples, providing valuable insights for their own solo performance work in Term 4.

"I learned so much from the Top Class performances that I will certainly implement into my own solo work later in the year. When one of the students shared her reflection on the process, I was greatly inspired. I learned many tips and tricks, including the fact that I need to be confident in showing my unfinished work to the teacher and peers because feedback is a powerful tool in the creative process." Lily

"Through Top Class, I have learned how to use the expressive skill of energy and the actor-audience relationship to engage the audience and make comedic jokes." Ava

"Top Class Drama was a very influential and inspiring performance. I loved hearing from the chief examiner and getting to learn about everything she values in a solo performance." Arkie

The following day, we attended The Trojan War, presented by the Slightly Isolated Dog at Chapel on Chapel. This modern adaptation of the story interspersed with the appearance of a variety of Greek Gods received a positive response from students. They enjoyed the highly energetic and contemporary performance, effectively exploring the styles of physical theatre, musical theatre, mime and comedy.

"It was a funny and insightful play. I really enjoyed the actor-audience relationship and interaction, the songs, props and the element of improvisation. This performance was very immersive and overall, a great experience." Caitlin

"The Trojan War was incredibly entertaining and hilariously funny. I liked the idea that they all collectively switched up the props and made everyone feel welcome to participate in the play." Sharlise

All are welcome to view the efforts of our VCE Drama students at our upcoming VCE Ensemble Performance Evening to be held in the Susan Alberti Auditorium from 6.00pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, 2 May.

Jazz season is well and truly upon us, and for the many young musicians involved in the upcoming Night of Jazz, rehearsals and home practice have kicked into high gear. It is particularly wonderful to see the commitment and initiative displayed by our ensemble leaders in organising student led sectional rehearsals at lunchtimes.

Similarly, it has been enriching to start the term with preparations for the St Catherine’s Day Eucharist which will involve seventy-five members of the College choir groups and the Eucharist band. The energy brought to rehearsals by our youngest voices in Year 7 has been especially rewarding.

As always, the Music Department appreciates the support and encouragement shown to our young musicians by their parents and families. As we approach International Arts Education Week (20 to 26 May), I am reminded of how fortunate our students are to be part of a learning community which embraces the Arts, recognises the lifelong value of creative and critical thinking, collaboration and courage - skills and values we see demonstrated each day in our tuition rooms and rehearsal spaces.

Siena’s Night of Jazz

We welcome all members of the Siena College community to join us for Night of Jazz at Box Hill Town Hall on Wednesday, 15 May!

Night of Jazz celebrates the achievements of our jazz ensembles and many senior musicians, and features an exciting program of special collaborations, group and solo items. We are honoured to be joined by Australian saxophone legend, Julien Wilson who will be appearing with our student soloists, working with them in rehearsal to share his experience and inspire their best performances.

Families are encouraged to book quickly to avoid missing out as this is one of our most popular events. Tickets are available via this link.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

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 24 June 2024.

If you applied for the CSEF in 2023 at Siena College, you do not need to complete an application form in 2024 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.