Embrace life at Sion Strategic Plan
2025 - 2028
Our Legacy calls us to respond to emerging needs
Our Lady of Sion College Box Hill enjoys a long and proud history of educating young people within our Catholic and Sionian tradition. From the foundation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion in 1847 to the current times, the Sisters and lay members who have been part of the Sion story have committed to providing a dynamic educational experience that works towards the full flourishing of our students.
NAMED and KNOWN
Our College community prides itself on the fact that every student is named and known and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.
From the moment they join our school community, students are encouraged to achieve their personal best; to embrace life and be hopeful, and to be people of truth, peace and courage.
Theodore Ratisbonne, the founder of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion reminds us that:
“the triple goal of education is truth, love and freedom”
“Education is without doubt the art of guiding the physical, intellectual and moral development of the human person, the art of forming the adult in the student”
“the work of Sion is a work of the present moment”
Introduction
The Our Lady of Sion College Strategic Plan provides focus and clarity as we embrace the future possibilities for our students and the staff who support them. The Plan represents the commitment and actions the College will undertake to enrich the learning experiences for all students and staff so they may confidently and skillfully contribute to our world as informed, compassionate, positive and life-giving agents of change.
The Strategic Plan provides a measured approach to our decision-making and informs the implementation of strategies that will enable our students and staff to thrive in a dynamic and increasingly complex world.
Finally, the Strategic Plan invites staff, students, their families and the broader community to work in partnership towards the achievement of our College Vision and Mission.
Sowing the Seeds of Hope, Uncovering Excellence Within
Inspiring a Commitment to Justice
Three pillars underpin the strategic goals
Pillar 1:
Our Catholic Identity, Sionian traditions and Story
Established in 1928, Our Lady of Sion College continues a proud legacy as an excellent Catholic school for girls in the Sionian tradition. The College aims to provide a dynamic educational and formative experience that works towards the full flourishing of our students. The Biblical values of compassion, justice, reconciliation, peace and love are guiding principles that underpin the faith life of the College and the social justice, learning and teaching, and wellbeing programs we offer our students. Ultimately, our learning environment and the varied opportunities we provide, work to support each student’s journey towards becoming the young person God created her to be.
Pillar 2:
Our learning environment where staff and students are named and known
We pride ourselves on the fact that every student and staff member at Our Lady of Sion College is ‘named and known’. Being known as a person is of vital importance to all human beings. Since we live in an increasingly impersonal world, pastoral care at Our Lady of Sion College must consciously strive to maintain the 'Sion Family Spirit'. Each person will be known by name, and in the same biblical sense, know that she or he belongs to a community where individual differences are valued and celebrated, and where each student and staff member is invited to make a unique contribution to our community.
Pillar 3:
Our commitment to stewardship and ethical governance
Our Lady of Sion College works to build the Kingdom of God. It promotes the spiritual and moral formation of its students and staff so that they develop into people of faith, strength, ability and knowledge, and in turn that they provide transformational leadership to our world. The College works to foster the conviction that every gift of creation comes from God and that all humans are charged with caring for all creation. Informed by Catholic Social Teaching, we execute this responsibility by fostering the development of the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary for people to understand and appreciate the interrelatedness of all creation and the inherent need to work for the common good.
Embrace COMMUNITY
Goals and Strategies
Goals
1. That our staff and students will work towards building the Kingdom of God
2. That our Catholic and Sionian traditions will inform all aspects of College life
Strategies
• Promote the spiritual and moral formation of students and staff
• Ensure Catholic Social Teachings and our Sionian traditions are celebrated and reflected in all aspects of College life
3. That our teachers are visionary educators
4. That the wellbeing and learning needs of each student are met
Strategies
• Create a professional learning community that is future focused and well resourced
• Provide innovative academic and co-curricular offerings that meet the learning and wellbeing needs of current and prospective students Goals
5. That governance is strategic and visionary
6. That the College is a school of choice in the community
Strategies
• Ensure prudent financial and resource management
• Strengthen and expand our relationships with key stakeholders
• Enhance the profile of the College
Embrace LEARNING
Embrace BELONGING
