In Truth and Action Across Term 2

Amid the challenges of this term, it has been wonderful to see the ways in which Siena students and staff have continued to live out our College theme, In Truth and Action. There has been a willingness to put in extra time supporting friends and colleagues, rallying a team or offering simple gestures of gratitude; countless conversations took place, opportunities embraced and strategies enacted to ensure all members of our community continue to flourish.

Snapshot: Religious Education at Siena

Throughout this term, students have engaged with the following units of work that explore the richness of our tradition. Through a pedagogy of encounter, they have participated in meaningful dialogue and have been energized by opportunities for completing tasks designed to further their understanding:

• Year 7: Sacred Story
• Year 8: Being Catholic in Contemporary Society
• Year 9: Prophets of Our Time
• VCE Religion and Society Unit 1: The Nature and Purpose of Religion
• VCE Religion and Society Unit 2: Ethical Teachings of the Jewish and Catholic Christian Traditions
• VCE Religion and Society Unit 3: Significant Life Experience, Religious Beliefs and Faith
• Year 12 Religion and Life (Social Justice): People Seeking Asylum

Congratulations to all students and staff for the great learning that has been achieved this term in challenging conditions.

VCE Holiday Home Learning

The three week break provides an opportunity for senior students to consolidate their Semester 1 learning and prepare for Semester 2 classes. VCE students are encouraged to complete the set holiday home learning provided by their subject teachers.

Examinations

The Semester 1 Year 9 to Year 11 Examinations have now concluded. We congratulate all students and staff on the smooth and effective way in which exams were undertaken.

A sincere thank you to those parents who have proffered their thanks regarding the attention and effort put into the care of their daughters.

Reports will be available on Siena Central on Monday, 27 June.

Subject Selection

The process of subject selection for our current Year 7 to Year 11 students begins in Term 3.

Subject Selection Handbooks, Subject Presentations and the Senior Pathways Evening are part of this transition process. Students in Year 9 and 10 will need to decide whether to pursue an accelerated subject, seriously considering the implications of this choice, as an accelerated subject brings with it a greater complexity of study, and a greater time commitment. A high level of literacy is invaluable to students studying an accelerated subject.

The Unit 1 and 2 Accelerated subjects are: Biology, Drama, Physical Education, Product Design and Technology and Psychology. Year 9 students must meet the following criteria:

• An overall result of 80% or higher in the accelerated subject area
• An overall result of 75% or higher in all other Year 9 subjects studied in Semester 1

The Unit 3 and 4 Accelerated subjects are: Biology, Business Management, Drama, Further Mathematics, Geography, Physical Education, Product Design and Technology, Psychology and Religion and Society. Year 10 students must meet the following criteria:

• An overall result of 80% or higher in the accelerated subject area
• An overall result of 75% or higher in Year 10 English
• An overall result of 75% or higher in at least two other Year 10 subjects studied in Semester 1

Further details regarding the application process, Subject Handbooks and Presentations will be outlined to students during Wellness in Week 2 of Term 3.

The Senior Pathways Information Evening will be held on Thursday, 28 July.

Staff Week

Staff will be on the premises until Friday, 24 June.

We wish you and your family a relaxing mid-year break.

Building Resilience

There is no doubt that students have shown amazing resilience throughout this semester. This is demonstrated through the outstanding achievements of students across all year levels. Our Year 12 Big Sisters have led the way in leading by example and welcoming their Year 7 Little Sisters. Not only so, they have shown a great capacity for managing change and coping with adversity. It is essential to personal wellbeing that we recognise and applaud the capacity of our young people to ‘just get on with it’, as demonstrated during time here at Siena.

Parents have always been instrumental in supporting their children to cope with the ups and downs. The partnership we have with parents is never taken for granted and we are extremely grateful for the support we receive. Parents more than anyone else would be aware that the mental health of young people has been significantly impacted by the disrupted learning and social interaction over the last two years. As many families settle back into pre-COVID routines, there seems to be a pervasive sense of optimism about what lies ahead.

Unfortunately, our young people are not immune to what is now being termed as the 'psychological pandemic'. Some young people are at risk of not achieving the primary demands of developmental tasks such as procuring independence, identity formation, as well as obtaining and maintaining peer relationships. What they need most in the current environment is support, understanding, empathy and encouragement from caring adults. They live up or down to the expectations we set for them.

If there is a panacea to the adversity caused by the pandemic, then it is the building of resilience. Resilience is the capacity to face, overcome, be strengthened and transformed by adversity. Never before, have parents needed the skills, knowledge and strategies to build resilience in their children as much as they do now. There are seven integral and interrelated components that make up being resilient that can help young people thrive and develop healthy coping strategies.

Siena staff have been working proactively to support the individual needs of all students and to build resilience alongside their social and emotional capacity. Resilience is more than just overcoming challenges and coping, it is also about flourishing. As such, we provide opportunities for students to identify the stressors they may face in their lives and offer some positive coping strategies for them to implement.

This Special Report explores the '7 Cs of Resilience' and includes suggested strategies on how adults can best facilitate them. If at any time, you have particular concerns regarding your daughter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Child Safe Standards Update

We have continued to work towards compliance with the eleven new Victorian Child Safe Standards which will come into effect on Friday, 1 July 2022.

This month, the following policies were filed with and approved by the College Policy Committee. They will now be forwarded to the College Board for ratification and will be available on the College website. We are also looking to add these new policies to the Siena Central Parent Zone for parents to access.

• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and related Guidelines (Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct and Staff – Student Professional Boundaries)
• Mandatory Reporting Policy and related Guidelines (Siena College Mandatory Reporting Process)
• Reportable Conduct Policy
• School Complaints Handling Policy

We have provided opportunities for our students to cultivate a strong sense of individual and community wellbeing during Semester 1. In our weekly Wellness lessons, we have gathered to do yoga, commemorated NAIDOC week, unpacked strategies for cyber safety, learned about different ways to seek help, upskilled our students in various forms of study techniques and celebrated student achievements during House assemblies.

Student voice will always play a key role in forming the goals and priorities of our Wellness program. Last week, students worked with their House Group teachers to map out what types of wellbeing content will be most beneficial to them moving forward. For the senior students, positive coping methods and stress management will be the focus in Term 3. For the rest of the student body, we will spend time deep diving into positive relationships, friendships and emotional literacy.

As Semester 1 draws to a close, our students look forward to the term break for rest, recovery and revitalisation. Much has been achieved in the past two terms; new connections and friendships have been formed, academic goals have been achieved and we have been able to gather together as a community to celebrate a variety of momentous occasions.

The term break is a time for students to be active, engage in activities that spark joy, relax in ways that revitalise our mind and bodies, as well as spend time with people who support and empower us. I encourage all families to help their daughter/s prioritise self care over the next three weeks. Resting and relaxing are essential to our wellbeing.

In the days leading up to the commencement of Term 3, I encourage students to adopt a sleep routine that is suitable for a school day. Practising simple relaxation techniques as part of a wind down routine can help you to fall asleep more easily and it is essential to keeping electronic devices out of bedrooms.

We live in a fast paced world that often prioritises productivity at the expense of rest. I encourage everyone to take this time to pause and be still.

Vinnies Winter Appeal

So much has been said and written of late about the extremely cold conditions we are all experiencing. At these times, I find it impossible not to think about how these conditions are impacting those who are experiencing homelessness or who are living in extreme poverty. As Term 3 approaches, as is our Siena tradition, we prepare to galvanise our support for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. There will be many practical ways families can support the work of Vinnies throughout the term, commencing with the return of the Vinnies Winter Warm Up Clothing Cube in Week 1 of Term 3. Families are encouraged to spend some time over the break to sort through their winter wardrobes and to make sure that the warm clothing donated are in clean and good condition. The preloved items can be brought to the College and dropped off at the Vinnies Winter Warm Up Cube located in the Undercroft, which will be available during the first two weeks of Term 3. They will then be sold at the Vinnies Op Shops to raise funds in support of Vinnies' work throughout the year.

Further opportunities to support Vinnies are also being developed by the Student Representative Council, as our College community seeks ways to raise awareness of our own personal privileges and engender a sense of responsibility to care for others in our world. For instance, Dianella will be hosting a fundraising bake sale during Term 3.

Plastic Free July

As we head into July, can I also remind you of the global environmental initiative, Plastic Free July, which started off as a grassroots campaign by Local Hero 2021 (Australian of the Year Awards), Rebecca Prince-Ruiz. Throughout the month of July, we are all encouraged to consider the impact our throwaway culture is having on the planet and are challenged to make small changes during the month, which will hopefully make more people realise that going plastic free is not only possible but also necessary. Small individual acts multiplied by many can be powerful.

Click here to read about the origins of the Plastic Free movement.

“People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.” Dorothy Day

In Term 3, the Siena College community is looking forward to its annual Antonio de Montesinos Public Speaking Competition. The award is named after prominent sixteenth century Dominican, Antonio de Montesinos. With the backing of his Prior, Friar Pedro de Córdoba, and his Dominican community at Santo Domingo, he bravely preached against the enslavement and harsh treatment of the Indigenous peoples on the island of Hispaniola (modern Haiti and Dominican Republic).

In order to participate in the competition, students must submit an entry on their topic of choice by Friday, 15 July. Talented year level champions will then compete for the highly regarded title in front of a live audience of friends, family and staff on the highly anticipated evening of Thursday, 25 August.

Competitors will first present a four to five minute prepared speech based on the competition topic: 2022 College theme, In Truth and Action. Students will then be required to present a two to three minute impromptu speech on a topic which will be revealed on the spot, displaying their skills of logic and reason before judges announce the 2022 winner.

This year, our guest alumna judge is past Waratah House Leader and Siena debater, Emilia Fuller (Class of 2014). At present, Emilia is an on-air presenter and program producer for 3AW Radio. She also manages the much loved (and much feared) Rumour File segment.

The competition provides a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their excellent public speaking skills and speak on issues that they are passionate about. We cannot wait to see what talent emerges. Will you be the 2022 winner of the Antonio de Montesinos Award?

Register Your Interest Now

• Public Speaking Coordinator, Michael Petrie: mpetrie@siena.vic.edu.au
• Debating and Public Speaking Leader, Sasha Sahely: s6646@siena.vic.edu.au

Year 7 2024 Enrolments are now open!

If your daughter is currently in Grade 5, we now warmly invite an Enrolment Application for Year 7 2024.

To submit an Application for Enrolment, visit the Siena website (click here) and click the Apply Now button. After you have submitted your online enrolment application form and all supporting documents, our Head of Admissions, Tracey Lawson, will confirm receipt of your application.

To help you with your application, follow the our handy Enrolment Procedure and Checklist. You can also view our Enrolment Policy for further information.

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.

For any enrolment enquires, please feel free to contact Tracey Lawson at admissions@siena.vic.edu.au

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 2022.

If you applied for the CSEF in 2021 at Siena College, you do not need to complete an application form in 2022 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.

Last Thursday evening, Siena College hosted the annual Careers Showcase. Forty alumnae presented in panels at the Showcase, representing twelve career categories such as Allied Health, STEAM, Business and Creative Arts and Design, to name a few. Parents and students had the opportunity to attend three panels and learned about the alumnae's experiences post Siena, be it the tertiary studies they have undertaken or the varied career paths they have embarked on.

The evening showcased the achievements and success of our Siena alumnae. It was a wonderful way to connect past and present students through the sharing of experience and knowledge, which is what the Siena spirit is all about.

Items in this edition of Siena Career News include:

• Important dates to take note of in Term 3
• Information on Army Support Gap Year
• Information on pursuing a Real Estate career
• Information sessions by Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership
• Holmesglen-Saints Sports Program
• News from ACU
  - Four New Commerce Degrees in 2022
  - New Double Degree in Criminology and Law
• Environmental Science Degrees in Victoria in 2022
• Snapshot of The University of Melbourne (UoM) in 2022