Religious Education – seeking truth

Our students are continuing to live out the Dominican mission of truth seeking in their classes during remote learning:

• Year 7 students are Caring for Creation by exploring Laudato Si’ and what it means for us as contemporary Catholics
• Year 8 students are viewing Goodness in Our World through the lens of Jesus’ teaching
• Year 9 students are encountering Women of Faith by investigating the role of women in the world of the Bible
• Year 10 VCE Religion and Society Unit 1 students are exploring cultural identity as part of Religion in Australia
• Year 11 VCE Religion and Society Unit 2 students are exploring the issue of ethical consumption as part of Religion and Ethics
• Year 11 VCE Philosophy Unit 1 students are justifying critical responses to viewpoints and arguments relating to knowledge
• Year 12 VCE Religion and Society Unit 4 students are preparing to analyse a significant challenge faced by a religious tradition or denomination
• Year 12 Religion and Life students are investigating the work of Catholic and secular agencies advocating for refugees and asylum seekers, with specific reference to the current situation in Afghanistan

As you can see, Religious Education classes continue to provide opportunities for authentic engagement with our faith tradition, rigorous learning and critical discussion in our current online environment.

Subject Selection

The subject selection process and class allocation continues, in preparation for 2022 timetables. In early Term 4, Mitchell Soon, the Subject Selection Coordinator, will contact any student who may have missed out on a subject choice due to timetable constraints and discuss alternative options with them. Students will be notified of their subjects in Term 4, to coincide with the release of booklists.

The accelerated subject application results have been emailed to parents and students. Those who were deferred, will have the opportunity to reapply at the end of Semester 2. In consideration of the impact of online learning, the criteria for next year’s Year 10 students were adjusted. As we always do, the criteria were applied across the cohort, unless there were exceptional circumstances. This ensures that the process remains fair and consistent for all our students. In this variable and altered state of learning and teaching, students are encouraged to work hard at maintaining their results and to ask for help when they need it.

2022 Booklists

Booklists will be available on Siena Central in Term 4 and parents will be notified via email. Second-hand book sales will be run by SPA.

Parent Teacher Interviews

In order to better describe the nature of the Parent Teacher Interviews, they are now referred to as "Learning Conversations”. These conversations will be held online, to continue the shared relationship with parents to promote student wellbeing, learning and engagement.

To create maximum opportunity for Learning Conversations, they will be held on Wednesday, 8 September, 4.00pm – 7.30pm and Thursday, 9 September, 10.00am - 7.00pm (non-teaching day).

Bookings open for Year 7 and Year 12 students on Wednesday, 1 September at 9.00am and can be made via the Learning Conversations tile on Siena Central. If you are using a smaller device to access the tile, it will be located at the bottom of the page. Please scroll down to locate the tile. Year 8 to Year 11 bookings open on Thursday, 2 September at 9.00am.

Students will be requested to complete reflection questions prior to the Learning Conversations. The questions should be completed by the student, for all subjects, and referred to during the interview. The questions will form part of the conversation around the learning that has occurred and areas for further improvement.

Trial Exams

Unit 3 and 4 Trial Exams are currently scheduled to go ahead from Monday, 27 September to Friday, 1 October. This is an important opportunity for our Year 12 students and Year 11 accelerated students to prepare for their final exams. At this point we are hoping to hold the Trial Exams on campus, but will keep parents and students informed of any changes. Further detail was communicated via email to Unit 3 and 4 students and their parents this week.

Although life is always filled with uncertainty, the levels we are currently experiencing are unprecedented and it is becoming evident that this is taking a toll on our young people. The most recent research from Mission Australia makes clear the breadth and depth the pandemic is having on our youth across the nation.

It appears that lockdowns and tighter restrictions will be with us for some time, but it is important in such times of uncertainty to instil hope and remain optimistic. Adults play a vital role in helping young people reframe their worries, encouraging them to see life as it is and getting them to focus more on the things they can control, rather than those they can’t.

It is important that young people remain connected with their social networks during these times as often their natural response to uncertainty is to exhibit varying degrees of fear and anxiety. With the continued disruptions, mental health concerns are on the rise and it is evident that many students may need some extra support to achieve their goals. Parents can help their children focus more on the good things in their life, rather than fill in the blanks with catastrophic narratives.

This Special Report outlines how adults can help instil hope and offer support in such times of uncertainty. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered and as always, we welcome your feedback.

National Science Week

This week we have celebrated National Science Week, which has the theme Food: Different by Design. We were lucky enough to have a guest speaker, Dr Madeline Mitchell, a plant scientist present a webinar to our students about her journey into science, how plant science might be able to solve problems of food and resources, and what the future of food might hold. We also had students compete for the first time in the ANSTO Hackathon, where they had to design a solution to the issue of food waste.

Keynote Address – Dr Madeline Mitchell, Plant Scientist

Madeline is a plant scientist with broad interests in the social, economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture. She has collaborated with industry and community partners as well as diverse researchers to develop novel crops for the benefit of farmers, consumers and the environment. Madeline is also an advocate for gender equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM and is an alumna of the global leadership initiative, Homeward Bound. Her skills in science communication have been recognised by an ACT Young Tall Poppy Award and selection in the Superstars of STEM program. Madeline holds a joint role with Food Agility and the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University.

Student reflection - Hayley Di Stefano, Year 12

Hearing from Dr Madeline Mitchell was such an uplifting and reassuring experience for myself as a Year 12 student. When she left high school, Dr Mitchell didn’t know what she wanted to study but was willing to embrace her journey and was excited to see where her interests took her and I think this is something that we can all reflect on as Siena students. She had such a positive attitude to learning and her slides were filled with quotes that I think reflected her career and engagement in the science industry, including “stay curious”, “be brave and lead the way, be smart and learn from others”, and “have fun”. I learnt not only about her work but what’s to come in environmental science and she is clearly someone who is paving the way for a more sustainable planet and eco-friendly future.

ANSTO Hackathon

Each year, the United Nations “International Year Of…” is considered when exploring potential themes, and 2021 provides us with both the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.

In keeping with these UN topics, Food: Different by Design covers a broad range of areas in food production and sustainable agriculture, enabling students to explore topics such as biosecurity, food technology, laboratory-developed foods, and more. In the true spirit of National Science Week, scientific development will be at the core of the theme.

The ANSTO Hackathon has students tackle a problem and using the design thinking process to generate a solution which they pitch to a range of STEM and industry experts. Over the first three days of National Science Week the students collaborate, empathise and define the root problem, before generating ideas and testing and prototyping them, all around their normal classes. In this time they meet with design mentors and industry mentors including scientists and engineers to help them with the process.

We entered a team of three Year 7 students, Katie Kim, Helen Kyriakos and Steph Cullinan. They worked cleverly and diligently to come up with their solution, the SmartTrolley and an app to help people purchase exactly what they need for their families to minimise food waste. They found the process initially ‘overwhelming’, but this gave way to ‘satisfying’ and ‘really fun’ and found the feedback from their mentors particularly helpful especially the further along the design process they were. They are to be congratulated on their excellent efforts and innovative thinking. Well done!

Annual Music Concert

Due to the extended lockdown, the Annual Concert planned for 1 September unfortunately cannot proceed. Our ensembles have been continuing to rehearse and we aim to create virtual performances that can be shared with the Siena community in the future. We know that students will be disappointed about this news, but we encourage them to continue to attend online ensemble rehearsals and practice their parts in preparation for virtual and future performances.

2022 Ensemble Auditions

It is that time of year where we invite all students to submit their audition videos for all 2022 Music Ensembles. Audition videos and forms will need to be uploaded to the Co-curricular Music page, ‘Audition Dropbox’ by 6 September. Students will be emailed the audition form and instructions on how to successfully create their audition video this week.

AMEB Performance Examinations

The Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) have notified schools regarding upcoming performance examinations and have asked students to consider sitting video repertoire examinations due to the current and potential future restrictions. In most cases, the video repertoire examinations require four pieces and no technical work. For further information about this option, students are asked to talk to their instrumental teachers or Mrs McGillen.

Soiree Week (Week 10)

Music students are encouraged to sign up for Soiree Week, which will be held during Week 10 of this term. We are hopeful that the soirees will occur at school however we will revert to an online Soiree week if this is not possible. Students interested in gaining performance practice, and for those sitting examinations, are invited to sign up by emailing music@siena.vic.edu.au

Cabaret Night – auditions

Cabaret Night will be held on 14 October subject to School Operation Guidelines. We invite all voice students from all year levels, pianists and instrumentalists to audition to perform at this exciting event. Students are asked to perform the piece or song they plan to perform at Cabaret Night. Audition videos are to be uploaded to the Co-curricular Music page, ‘Audition Dropbox’ by 6 September and labelled as Cabaret Night Audition. For further information students are encouraged to talk to Mrs McGillen or their teachers. All musicians are encouraged to audition even if they don’t learn an instrument or take voice lessons at school.

In Year 8 English we are currently studying the Speculative Fiction anthology Eat the Sky, Drink the Ocean. The students have been learning about the waves of feminism and how they must be the change they want to see in society. Students have also been encouraged to enter the Boroondara Literary Awards, with some empowering short stories and poems submitted. Please enjoy this poem "The Perception of Women", written by Sharlise Huynh, Year 8.

Ladies, girls, females

Had all started with just one male

All was good at the start

Eyes, mouth and a big heart

Fast forward many years

Problems occurring and ending in tears

Women were always being looked down

Walking on the streets, with a non-existent crown

Females had become ignored

Chores, family and a plain old record

The future for women was no more

Dumping it all in amongst the shore

Men started having high expectations

Laws, rules, regulations

Tall, skinny, blonde

Thinking women would change with just the touch of a magic wand

Skirts, dresses, bows

Heels, hair and a little nose

Small, slim, pretty

How about adding a cute, little, kitty

Women wanted equality, being fair

When all those men did was want them bare

Men’s liking was only on a lady’s physique

Nothing about their soul, just on critiques

Oh, be this, oh be that

Here and there, chitchat chitchat

“Hey! Let me buy you a drink.”

“You could really use it,” adding on a wink

Being abused, used, and sold

Thinking of them as objects, leaving them in the cold

All feeling in the body had become numb

Sleeping at night, feeling very lonesome

Take the Cinderella story

Always giving men all the glory

The ugly stepsisters had just wanted to impress

Ending with Cinderella falling for the plain, old damsel in distress

Mulan had swapped it all around

With no crown or gown

Fighting for her own place

Leaving all men in disgrace

She had fought for her old man

No need for poison apples, heels, or a saucepan

She had used all her strength and power

Returning home with no hands holding a flower

Now look at actresses in our time

In films about a war crime

Only there to act as the nurse

Not allowed to act as the inverse

Besides acting in the settings of war

Women were seen as assistants, mopping the floor

Unable to portray a character that’s tough

Working hard, respecting peers, yet not being paid enough

Having to show skin that would catch a man’s eye

Then asking if they were looking, and would deny

Wondering why men would just stare

At the bum, cleavage, and what they wear

Knowing women were expected to be weak

Laughing and laughing at one’s loud shriek

Thinking fighting women would end in an instant heartbeat

Because they’re just small and sweet

Going back to actresses on TV

Being treated like leftover debris

Superheroes, agents, and detectives kicking arse

“Hey, you know you could’ve just said pass”

Only a few recommended sports

Men had many games of all sorts

“You hit like a girl, you play like a girl!”

“Go back to ballet and do a little twirl”

They played rough

Making women seem like they weren’t enough

Bruises here, cuts there

On a man’s level, they both could not compare

Abuse in the workplace

Towards women, not seen as a disgrace

But the fact that bosses to this day, think it’s okay

Made the situation a real downplay

Police trying to deal with all of it

Some caring, the rest don’t bother to commit

Letting it go, “Be safer next time”

Walking away with confusion, wondering how they don’t see it as a hate crime

Being dragged into court

All they need right now is some support

Demanding a right, the judge denies

Leaving them ‘unaware’ of all those lies

So sick of the words of men

Hearing it over and over again

Finally deciding to take a stand

Hoping it will go smoothly, just as planned

All women coming together as a whole

On the streets, taking a stroll

Taking a stand, fighting for their own

Getting more in on the act, making themselves known

All around the world they knew

That they’re demands are now known as Me Too

Finally getting the recognition that they’ve longed for

Influencing others, and many more

Although this is still happening today

Encouraging others to keep it going, like it’s on replay

Many more need to be aware

So, all could be settled and are all fair

Pillars Student Leadership Program

Over the past four weeks, a group of Year 10 and 11 students have participated in the Pillars Senior Student Leadership Program.

Across four sessions, students worked together to reflect on what it means to be a Dominican Leader. Guided by a number of Siena staff and student leaders, our students practiced and developed the skills of teamwork, communication and delegation, explored their character strengths, and discussed the importance of formulating a leadership vision.

The following reflections were written by students participating in the leadership program:

“What resonated with me was the importance of having a clear and shared vision, including understanding who you are leading, why you are leading and keeping in mind the bigger picture within your leadership role. This will influence my leadership role as I will continue to further develop my vision as a leader and ensure that it accounts for the needs and priorities of the people that I may be leading.”
Macey Brick, Year 11

“What resonated with me was that there aren't a restrictive set of qualities that allow someone to consider themselves a leader, there are a wide range of characteristics and qualities because a leader doesn't have just one definition. There are leaders in every situation, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses, hence highlighting the importance of collaboration and teamwork and bringing together people’s strengths. Realising the importance of other people within the team and working with them in order to bring out the best in a group will be a focus of my leadership going forward, inspired by the conversation of teamwork”
Abbey Harford, Year 11

“The different skills we discussed and learned about teamwork really resonated with me. I found it really valuable to learn about the importance of delegation and establishing a shared vision that incorporates everyone’s ideas. In the future, I will be more inclined to delegate tasks and pay closer attention to the strengths of my team members so that we can use them to our advantage.”
Sasha Sahely, Year 11

The program was also discussed in more detail by three of our participants in the latest Siena College podcast, so tune in if you would like to find out more!

The Pillars Year 7 to 9 Leadership Program will take place over three sessions from Weeks 8 to 10 this term. The registration form is now open via Siena Central, and is open to all students in Years 7 to 9.

As the situation with COVID-19 and Lockdown 6.0 continues we are acutely aware of the impact on our students’ wellbeing.

It has now been over a year since Stage Four restrictions first came into effect and we know the longevity and the uncertainty around this ever-changing situation has left some students struggling. Each new lockdown seems to bring different challenges for our students and the longer the lockdowns continue, the more important it is for students and parents to be talking together about how they are feeling.

We know online learning can feel overwhelming for some students, especially during these snap lockdowns when students had been adjusting to normal school routines again. For some students, avoiding online learning can initially relieve some of the pressure and stress they may be experiencing. However, we also know that avoidance can mean we fall behind in class and feel less engaged with our work. This, in turn can make us feel more overwhelmed and anxious, where we want to avoid further – creating a vicious cycle that can be hard to get out of.

As a school we are mindful that while some students might have initially managed lockdowns well, each lockdown is different and can feel worse, or better. If you have concerns about any of the following it may be worth seeking advice:

• Ongoing distress, poor coping or withdrawing
• Doing things which are out of character, eg. Being secretive or obsessed
• Functioning less well than you would usually expect

You are encouraged to contact your daughter's Head of House, or the Counselling Team, who are continuing to operate and work together throughout the lockdowns. Additionally, if you have concerns you would prefer to address outside of the school system, you can talk to your GP who can refer your daughter to an external professional.

Dr Jen Lear
College Psychologist

Helpline contact numbers:

Kids Helpline

1800 55 1800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Lifeline

13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Suicide Call Back Service

1300 659 467 https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/home

Headspace (not emergency support, avail 9am – 1am)

https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

In an emergency always call 000

In the latest edition of Siena Careers News there is some useful information particularly for Year 12 students completing VTAC applications. Most of the universities have special programs for entry, Early Offer programs or guaranteed ATARs for courses. The details of the Monash Guarantee and the University of Melbourne Access program are featured in this edition.

Year 12 students applying for Fine Arts and Music courses are reminded that there are additional requirements for these courses and sometimes also early closing dates. These details are also included in the newsletter this week.

Students often ask about possible careers after completing a Bachelor of Science and this week’s career in focus, a cardiac technician, is one of these.

Another popular area of study is Global Studies or International Relations and I have included a list of the courses in this area offered by our major universities.