SIONIANS Beyond
From the College Captains Contents
Sionians: Beyond the Cherry Red Gates is produced by Our Lady of Sion College, 1065 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria 3128.
© Copyright reserved
Licensed under NEALS.
The NEALS licence permits Australian schools and educational bodies to reproduce print and digital materials for educational use in schools free of charge.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to those who contributed to the articles and photographs in this issue. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Our Lady of Sion College. The editor reserves the right to amend or reject any item submitted for publication.
Correspondence is welcomed to: Tina Apostolopoulos, Principal, Our Lady of Sion College PO Box 254 Kerrimuir, VIC 3129
E: principal@sion.catholic.edu.au paststudents@sion.catholic.edu.au
T: +61 3 9890 9097
W: sion.catholic.edu.au
Front cover image
Ratisbonne Discovery Centre
internal spiral staircase with sky light
Our time at Our Lady of Sion College has offered us a multitude of opportunities that have enabled us to grow and develop our individual abilities, interests and skills. Through programs, extracurricular activities and excursions offered to us by the College, we have fostered and cultivated a deeper understanding of who we are as Daughters of Sion and who we want to become as people.
The most valuable experiences advocated to us, by Sion, are undoubtedly the leadership opportunities. Having been presented with the chance to amplify our voices, promote activism and make positive changes to our school and the broader community has been invaluable and also allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of our place in the world.
Sion has encouraged us to accomplish greatness through extracurricular programs as well. Whether that be involving ourselves in bands and instrumental lessons or even pushing ourselves to develop our physical talents through Girls Sport Victoria (GSV). Other opportunities like the Model United Nations Conference and participating in the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV), have allowed us to foster relationships across year levels and with other schools, so that we can strive for our best. We are also exposed to highly enriching academic programs which emphasise the importance of persistence and determination to achieve our best, which is reflected in the remarkable results our College is recognised for.
It brings us great comfort to know that we, alongside the women of the future, are being brought up in such a supportive environment, powered by possibility. It is safe to say that all the achievements of students are celebrated and acknowledged whether big or small, and it is in this, that we have great pride to represent a community and family of driven and ambitious individuals.
Sara Kolovos & Zoe Frankensteiner, 2025 College Captains
3 From the Desk of the Principal
4-5 Top Achievers/Where are They Now?
6–7 Celebration of current students’ great achievements
8-11 Daughter of Sion Award/ Exciting new College developments
12-13 From the Archives/ Class of 2024 Reunion
14-15 Sion Staff and their daughters at Sion
16-17 News: Georgie Brisbane AFLW/ Recruit Mentors/ Vale
From the Desk of the Principal
Each year, our College embraces a guiding theme. It is an invitation to all within our community to reflect deeply on our lives and in particular it supports us in shaping our actions with intention. For 2025, our theme, Live a life worthy of the calling you have received, is drawn from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. While it was written two millennia ago, it continues to speak to us today and in doing so, offers us an enduring call to live with purpose, integrity, gratitude and hope.
St Paul’s words encourage us to live life fully, to nurture our gifts and talents, and to offer them in service to others, thus building a caring and compassionate community where all may flourish. In this edition of the Sionian, you will encounter strong women, past and present who embody these ideals. Their stories resonate with themes of striving for personal excellence, civic responsibility, leadership, courage and perseverance, and above all belonging and gratitude. As Daughters of Sion, we celebrate the many opportunities we have received and the responsibility to use them to make a positive difference.
In this edition, we also celebrate a major milestone in the history of the College with the opening of
three new facilities. The Ratisbonne Discovery Centre, inspiring students to find purpose and meaning; the Colmar Centre, honouring service to the needy; and the Ein Karem Centre, supporting student wellbeing and growth. To this end, we are proud of the College’s ongoing commitment to ensuring an inspiring and beautiful environment that supports student learning and wellbeing needs is prioritised.
I hope you enjoy the Autumn edition of the Sionian and I encourage all past students to continue to reach out to the College to learn how you can contribute to the great community that has nurtured you.
Tina Apostolopoulos, Principal
2025 College theme symbol
Top Achievers Assembly
When the Our Lady of Sion College community comes together to celebrate - we do it with style. As one of the biggest events on the College calendar, the 2024 Top Achievers Assembly proved to be another triumph with an audience of over 1,000 people. 2024 saw the highest number of students achieving an ATAR above 90. 30 students were able to walk across the stage with that honour. We also celebrated the dux of each subject and recognised the Year 11 students, now in Year 12, who excelled in their accelerated subject.
We were gifted with the presence of Dr Kathy Wilson, an alumna from the graduating Class of 1983. Dr Wilson shared her experiences of making career changes, of being brave and taking risks, and always with a focus on educating herself and others. Speaking from her heart, Dr Wilson talked about the Sion legacy as always having a sense of belonging, confidence in a future filled with hope and the sense of compassion for others. She talked about how this manifests in her own life and interactions with others.
The assembly allowed us to celebrate our 2024 College Dux Tianna Duffin. With an ATAR of 99.7 and dux of Accounting, Chemistry, English and Methods, Tianna spoke to the community with much grace and humility about the challenges that she faced as a student, and not wanting to define herself through comparisons with others, but rather how she found her own strengths and grew them, all the while accepting that success looks different for each person. She left us with these final words:
The best advice I can offer is to go for it, embracing every opportunity even when it feels scary, or you think you’re not good enough. To quote Wicked: “Some things you cannot change, but ‘til you try you’ll never know”. So, just take the leap, put yourself out there, and trust that you’ll find your way.
Tiana Duffin, 2024 College Dux
In her commencement address to the community Mrs Apostolopoulos drew our attention to the 2025 College Theme: Live a life worthy of the calling you have received, and called us to reflect upon what it is that we have been called to do. The big things, the small things, the now things, and the future things.
We very much look forward to watching the Class of 2024 as they take what they have learnt from the Our Lady of Sion community into their future lives. We wish them well and remind them that they will always have a community that loves them here at the College.
Allison Stott, Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning
Where are They Now?
Dr Kathleen Wilson (Class of 1983) gave valuable advice about leadership in non-traditional industries at our Top Achievers Assembly, sharing her experiences of being a woman in a male dominated industry. She is an inspiration for women to be strong, determined and believe in themselves.
Dr Wilson completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) at The University of Melbourne and Master of Business Management at Monash University. She attained a prestigious scholarship to undertake a PhD at The University of Melbourne and wrote her thesis on crowd sourcing in 2015. Her career commenced as a Human Resources professional at Ford and then the Department Premier and Cabinet but she changed careers to become Manager of Cabinet Operations working with the Cabinet Secretary. Dr Wilson was sworn in as Victoria’s first female Clerk of the Executive Council and worked directly for the Governor, managing state executive law processes plus swearing in Cabinet Ministers and Judges. Following this, she became contract manager of Victoria’s large telco contracts worth $50M+ and later took up project, program and policy roles in trade and foreign investment, and then moved to a management consulting role at Pearson.
What challenges did you face in your career journey?
The biggest challenges earlier in my career came from being a young woman at a time when there were very set ideas about what sort of work a woman could/ should do. There were few senior women (only four) at Ford Motor Company when I joined as a Human Resources professional in 1988. When I walked through the car assembly factory to post new job position alerts, I received a lot of unwanted remarks and catcalling from the overwhelmingly male workforce. It was awkward and embarrassing for me to face that a few times a week. I remained stony-faced and pretended I couldn’t hear them!
A second challenge was being the first woman to be sworn into the position of Clerk of the Executive Council in Victoria’s 150+ year history. My predecessor presented me with a formal men’s suit with tails which was historically, what the person in the position used to wear! (I didn’t wear it).
A final challenge was having a huge career change when I did a PhD in Business at The University of Melbourne and was an university academic at age 50.
What were your fondest memories of Sion?
When I started at Sion I only knew three girls from my primary school and we weren’t really friends. I loved Year 7 Camp as it was fantastic to meet many new girls and share lollies at midnight feasts and sing songs we loved together. I made new and wonderful friends and really loved Sion right from the beginning.
What did your Sion education teach you?
It taught me the importance of understanding language and meaning, along with critically reading, analysing
What advice would you give our current students who have aspirations and dreams about their future careers?
You should always persist towards achieving what you want and not let yourself believe negative comments that you can’t make it. Many people change universities and courses – and that’s ok. A lot of people don’t know what they want to do. You will work it out. It is likely you will also have many different careers and work in jobs that may not even exist yet!
What are you doing with yourself now?
I am working at Swinburne University in the School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship. I am a Senior Lecturer teaching Risk Management, Procurement Management, and Ethics of Innovation, teaching around 500 students a year. I am also Deputy Department Chair and Director of Undergraduate Programs. I research in emerging technologies like crowd sourcing, nonfungible tokens and metaverses, as well as women’s equity issues such as improving representation of women on Boards.
skills that I still use in my current academic job role.
In Year 9 in 1980 at Sion
I become a Doctor of Philosophy at Melbourne University in 2015
At Government House when I had sworn in the newly-elected Kennett government in 1992.
Minister Gavin Jennings at a Rio Tinto mining research facility in 2007. Here he is personally thanking me for the speech I wrote.
Master of Business Management at Monash. I was awarded most outstanding graduating student.
Let’s celebrate our current students’ great achievements
In our inclusive community, every student is named and known, a differentiating factor that sets us apart. From the moment our students join us, they feel a strong sense of belonging and are encouraged to achieve. Our Sion community celebrates our students’ achievements inside and outside of the College. Join us in congratulating the below students for their wonderful accomplishments and we wish all our Sion students the very best in their pursuit of excellence.
Karate Championships
Zara’s (Year 11) Karate journey has seen her successfully compete in numerous championships and constantly excelling. In 2024, Zara was fortunate to compete at the 50th Australian Karate National Championships in Victoria where she was awarded National Champion in Junior Teams Kata, silver for the Female Junior Division and a bronze in the Female Senior Division. Following this, Zara went on and competed in the Commonwealth Karate Championships in South Africa where she won gold in both Female Junior and Senior Karate Kata categories. 2025 has seen Zara continue to succeed and she received 1st in both Cadet/Junior Team Kata and Junior Female Team Kata and was 2nd in Senior Female Kata at the State Championships. Zara recently competed at the 2025 Australian Open and received a 1st in Junior Kata and 3rd in Senior Kata. Congratulations to Zara for these remarkable achievements. They represent years of dedicated training, mastering fundamental techniques, developing physical and mental strength and maintaining a positive mindset. Well done Zara!
Debating Association Victoria
Our Sion Debating teams are strong, competitive debaters who demonstrate critical thinking, research skills, clear communication, active listening and an excellent ability to construct and present persuasive arguments while remaining calm and respectful when competing against other schools.
Congratulations to our debating team for winning the DAV competition and also to Kiera for being awarded the best speaker.
GSV Diving Championships
We are proud to announce that two of our Sion students recently competed in the GSV Diving Championships. Olivia (Year 11) received 1st and Ella (Year 11) received 3rd. The Finals Evening is for top athletes, selected from among the 23 GSV Schools to compete. Congratulations to both Olivia and Ella. These great achievements are a testament to their dedication and passion. It signifies the highest level of skill, consistency and performance within the competition. We wish Olivia and Ella all the best for their upcoming Diving Australia Nationals Competition.
Olivia Ella
Zara at the 2025 State Championships
L-R Year 12
2024 students: Kiera, Hannah, Morgan Chandler (Teacher - English, Public Speaking & Debating), Georgia, Emily and Tianna
Father James Wall Bursary Leadership Achievement Award
Anria (Year 10 in 2024) was selected as one of four students to be presented the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Father James Wall Bursary Leadership Achievement Award. This is an incredible accomplishment and is a testament to Anria’s level of excellence in her studies, her passion for active leadership and her pursuit of social justice.
Established in 2003, the CDF Father James Wall Bursary honours Father James ‘Jim’ Wall, the founder of the Catholic Development Fund. This bursary acknowledges Year 10 Catholic secondary school students who mirror Father Wall’s dedication to a better future in their daily pursuits. The criteria looks at students who demonstrate leadership potential in a range of areas including academia, arts, sporting activities, community service and social justice activities. Congratulations Anria!
Aerobics Nationals Championships
Two of our Sion Aerobics teams made it through to the Schoolaerobics National Championships. The squad performed in front of a large crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre after countless morning, lunchtime and school holiday trainings. It was an extremely close division with ‘One Step Ahead’ finishing 4th (87.70 total) in Australia narrowly missing a podium finish and ‘Step It Up’ finishing 7th with a total of 85.90. This exhibits their determination, perseverance, passion and collaboration to achieve.
A massive thank you to our staff members Bridie Macdonald and Katrina Gurciullo for accompanying the squad and also to our Sion graduate coaches who were fantastic role models for their teams throughout the year. We could not achieve these results without them!
Ratisbonne Award (Five colours)
Our annual Night of Excellence event is an evening filled with excitement, joy and honour as we gather with our students and their families to celebrate their achievements. Presenting these students with awards for Academics, House, Community Spirit, Sports, the Arts and special awards is always momentous. Well done to all our awardees for all your hard work, dedication and passion, and congratulations to everyone who made this evening such a magnificent celebration. In particular, we would like to highlight the Ratisbonne Award recipients, Year 8 students: Eloise, Zara, Clare, Mia and Aliarne. This prestigious award acknowledges students who have received five colours in one year which is a truly remarkable achievement. Our Sion community is proud and wishes you all the very best with your journey at Sion.
L-R Tina Apostolopoulos (Principal), Anria and Anna Gionfriddo (Deputy Principal Faith and Mission)
BACK – Team ‘One Step Ahead’: (L-R) Harper (Year 8), Simona (Year 9), Macy (Year 11), Alice (Year 10), Emma (Year 10), Ruby (Year 10), Meika (Year 11), Chanel (Year 11) and Mia (Year 10)
FRONT – Team ‘Step It Up’: (L-R) Claise (Year 8), Annie (Year 7), Abby (Year 8), Olivia (Year 10), Paige (Year 10) and Jessica (Year 9)
L-R Year 8 students: Aliarne, Zara, Clare, Mia and Eloise
Daughter of Sion Award
The 2023 Daughter of Sion Award was awarded to Clare
I am very grateful to be part of the Sion Community. Year 8 was an amazing year filled with so many opportunities, and I tried my hardest to get involved in as many activities as I could across all areas of school life. I participated in multiple musical ensembles, had a role in the Junior Play, and entered my artwork in visual art competitions. GSV was a great way to make new friends in different year levels through sports such as swimming, triathlon, netball, and indoor cricket. I was involved in Liturgy and Social Justice events and initiatives such as Lenten Liturgy, St Vincent de Paul Sion Conference and Project Compassion fundraising. A highlight of mine was being acknowledged with the Ratisbonne Award.
Last year, as one of the Year 8 Social Justice Representatives and a member of the St Vincent de Paul Conference, I had a lot of involvement in social justice within the school. I volunteered my time to help organise and run events to raise awareness and funds to help those less fortunate or marginalised. For Project Compassion, the Social Justice team raised money through hot cross bun sales, bake sales, Easter raffle, Voices for Change concert, staff v students dodge ball game and Casual Day for a Cause. The Sionian tradition stands for love and justice, justice for the poor, the discriminated and the oppressed, and they embrace openness and hospitality between all peoples, religions and cultures. As such all funds from Sion Day went to provide scholarships for students in need. As part of the Social Justice team, I really enjoyed volunteering at the ‘Sion Flurry’ stall, knowing that my actions could play a small part in helping those in need. More importantly, however, I was so proud and moved to see so many students and staff come together to support this worthy cause. To me, it demonstrates the ethos of this wonderful school, to show love and respect, seek justice and have faith.
I feel very fortunate to be part of the Sion community. To me, the school embodies belonging. I truly believe the school aims to have every student named and known. From the very first moment I stepped through the cherry
red gates, I felt accepted and valued. I felt as though I had a purpose, and this school would provide me with so many amazing opportunities to thrive and bring out the best possible version of myself. The school is certainly a community; we respect, value and care for each other. It is truly a privilege to be part of such a community. I am really grateful to have such amazing teachers and to have formed many positive friendships so far at Sion.
I am so proud to be a part of the St Vincent de Paul Sion Conference, as someone who has supported St Vincent de Paul in primary school and through my Parish community from a young age, I feel a strong connection to the organisation. My family has always supported the local conference, and even to this day, my sisters and I raise money to support the Christmas Appeal for our local conference. St Vincent de Paul’s support reaches so many people. They provide not only accessible food, clothing and other basic needs such as hygiene products, but also provide them in a way that maintains people’s dignity. St Vincent de Paul has a way of connecting with the people they help, their focus is not just on providing resources, but also on creating a supportive and comforting environment that treats the individuals with respect and dignity. Just like our own Sion community, each individual is named and known. It is for these reasons that I would like to donate the $500 so generously given to this award to the St Vincent de Paul Mooroolbark Conference. This particular conference supports my local community, and I know how this money could help those in need in the community.
Clare current Year 9 student
L-R Olivia, Violet, Ava, Clare, Sophie and Ella
Olivia, Clare and Sophie at a St Vincent De Paul Incursion
Clare receiving her Ratisbonne Award
Our new and exciting developments
Providing students with enhanced learning experiences and encouragement to pursue personal excellence.
Our Lady of Sion College is committed to providing an excellent learning environment where students may continue to grow, develop and work towards the endless opportunities that await them beyond secondary school. In recent years, the College has embarked upon the exciting development of a masterplan that ensures its facilities align with our students’ future needs.
This year we have completed the construction of the Ratisbonne Discovery Centre- a Project and Design Hub that supports innovation in the teaching of Science, Technologies, Engineering, Maths and the Arts and Design. It not only fosters the creative and critical thinking skills of our students but also provides innovative ways to encourage and support our students to continue to pursue their interest in STEAMD and more effectively access pathways, in careers where they are traditionally under-represented.
The new building comprises state-of-the-art Science and Project Labs, flexible learning areas dedicated to the Arts including Music and Drama, breakout spaces, meeting rooms, staff facilities, two Reception areas,
administration offices, a Fitness and Weights Centre, Sickbay, and inclusive access for all members of our community. Working in close collaboration with staff, the architects at Williams Ross Architects designed a three-storey building with the aim of ensuring the highest level of learning and teaching outcomes, and wellbeing support for our students. Devco Project and Construction Management were appointed as the Head Contractor and were supported by Turner and Townsend as Project Management.
Outside Area
Science Room
Internal Spiral Stairs
Our new and exciting developments
We are thrilled the project is complete and our Sion students and staff are embracing this pristine, state of-the-art Ratisbonne Discovery Centre where we can continue to offer the Our Lady of Sion community an environment to grow, develop and work towards the endless opportunities that await our students beyond secondary school.
It’s a bright, happy and welcoming place. You feel open and ready to learn. ~ Ivy I’m excited for the new building to take me on many new adventures. ~ Scarlett It’s a new and modern space and you feel ready to learn, grow and be innovative. ~ Olivia
In addition to the Ratisbonne Discovery Centre, we completed our Ein Karem (Wellbeing Centre) and the Colmar Centres (Year 10 Hub). The Ein Karem Centre is the refurbishment of our property on 12 Graham Place. The College Counselling and Learning Diversity teams are now located within the centre which provides much enhanced facilities for students and staff. This centre gives our students a welcoming and comforting place for their counselling and learning diversity needs.
The Ein Karem Centre is a beautiful and tranquil space where I am able to seek counselling and learning support. Inside, the building is divided into learning and counselling spaces. I really love the counselling space as it is tucked away from the ‘busyness’ of College life and provides me with a quiet place to reset. ~ Katia
The Colmar Centre is the refurbishment of the former Administration (Convent) building which comprises six new classrooms, office and meeting spaces. It is the new location for our Year 10 students and their Wellbeing and Growth Leader. This new area represents an extension of our learning resources and a hub for our Year 10s to excel.
It makes me feel special and more motivated to learn in a fresh environment. ~ Emily I like the new Colmar Centre because it is a brand new space that feels connected and spacious. I like that there is a dedicated space for Year 10s as it gives us a sense of community.~ Molly
Ein Karem Centre
Art Room
Drama Room
Music Room Courtyard
Counselling room in the Ein Karem Centre Ein Karem Centre
From the archives - Farewell to the Library and Arts Wing
The completion of our Ratisbonne Discovery Centre marks an exciting step forward but it also gives us a moment to pause and reflect on what once stood in its place. With a sense of nostalgia, we take a fond stroll down memory lane and bid farewell to the much-loved Library and Arts Complex wing (originally the Science Lab), now gently retired to history. Opened and Blessed in 1980, by the Archbishop of the time, the wing was a hub of creativity, learning, and connection for over four decades. Within its walls were a spacious art room, a common room that became a second home for the H.S.C. students, a photography dark room, a music room filled with the sounds of budding talent, and of course, the College library, a sanctuary of knowledge and quiet discovery.
Though the building is now gone, the memories forged within it remain deeply etched in the hearts of past students and staff. As we embrace our new facilities and the opportunities they bring, we carry with us the legacy of the spaces that came before, reminding us that every step forward is built upon the foundations of the past.
Matthew Roberts, College Archivist
Class of 2024 Reunion
On Friday 21 March it was wonderful to welcome our Class of 2024 back through the cherry red gates for their reunion. Our Miriam Theatre foyer was filled with excitement, laughter and chatter as past students and staff reunited. We thank everyone for attending and look forward to welcoming you to future past students’ events.
A dark room - part of the new Art Complex in 1980
Students in the Art Room in 1999
The new library in 1980
Bookweek in 2004
Sion community: Sion staff and their daughters together at the College
It is very special when the staff are so fond of the school where they work that they send their daughters there for their education. At Sion we are blessed to have a number of our staff members and their daughters together at our College. Here they share what it is like to be working at the school their daughters attend and what it is like to have their parent as staff members at their school. My name is Lucy and I’m the Social Justice Co-ordinator at Our Lady of Sion College. I also teach VCE Legal Studies and Religious Education. Having my daughter, Isabelle, at the College is a unique and rewarding experience. It provides me the opportunity to see her grow within the same community where I work, giving me a deeper connection to both her education and the school community. It’s a privilege to be so closely involved in her learning experience.
My name is Isabelle and I’m in Year 8. Having my mum teach at Our Lady of Sion College is comforting knowing that she’s always around if I need support. It’s nice that she understands my school life firsthand and is able to help with my homework. Seeing her around during the day is fun and it makes school feel a little like home.
Lucy and Isabelle
Year 8
My name is Pamela and I am the Director of Curriculum and Learning. I have been at the College since 2019 and held various roles. I love working at Our Lady of Sion College because it is a place where everyone can learn and grow. With a strong passion for Wellbeing and Curriculum, I have witnessed firsthand the tireless efforts of all staff in prioritising these areas to develop each student holistically and equip them for a successful life beyond Sion. This year my daughter Ellie started at Year 7 at Sion. As a staff member with a daughter at the College, it is a privilege to be in this wonderful community together and share the many resources of the College.
Hi, my name is Ellie and I am in Year 7. Whilst starting secondary school was a daunting experience, I have had a wonderful start to Year 7 and am truly loving being here. Being at school where mum works is great. We are both so busy during the day that we don’t cross paths much and if we do, it’s usually in the corridor where we are both trying to get to our classes on time. But it is still very special knowing we are both here together even if we don’t spend time together.
Pamela and Ellie Year 7
I am the Religious Education Learning Leader, Amy and I work with staff to create an innovative and engaging Religious Education curriculum for students. I also support the Deputy Principal of Faith and Mission in the organisation of Retreats and College Masses. Being at the same school with my daughter means there is a greater connection to what she is involved in. From that perspective, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. It’s a fantastic environment to work in and I’m proud that my daughter can also be part of this community.
Having my mum at school is a great opportunity to see each other more. Unlike when I was at primary school, being at Sion with my mum means that she’ll get to see me at all the school events and participating in College Masses. It’s comforting that she is close and it is great seeing her throughout the day. It gives me an idea of what is she has to do as a teacher and all the things that she is involved in. I enjoy coming to school and like that my mum is here too.
Amy and Eva Year 7
I am the Year 10 Wellbeing and Growth Leader at the College and I love having Maddy at Sion with me. To have the opportunity to say ‘hi’ at school, to support her with her learning and to watch her experience all that Sion has to offer is very special. It’s rare for a parent to be able to see and support their child through their school years, so for me I am very grateful. I try and use every day to support Maddy in all her school pursuits and when challenges arise to help her navigate through these. For me, each day is a gift that I can see her involved with GSV, leadership roles and investing in her academics. These are memories that we will both always share. I am looking forward to her final years at Sion and the times we will share.
Being at school with my dad is my normal so I don’t think much about it, but I love having him there because I get to see him everyday and share experiences with him. I get to do GSV with him and having this together is fun, especially because he is a really good coach for all my sports so I’m lucky to do that with him. There are also the benefits of being driven to school and seeing him on the way to class, at recess and lunch and it’s great talking and laughing with him and my friends. Everyone agrees that he is the best teacher/coordinator at the school and loves having him in Year 10. I’m very proud to have him as my dad because he works hard and helps so many students on a daily basis.
Adam and Maddy Year 10
My name is Ruby and I enjoy having my mum at school because I can get a lift to school rather than take the bus. It’s also nice to be able to drop by and say hello. I really like that we can discuss events happening at school on a deeper level.
My name is Isla and I like having my mum at school because I can get canteen money when I need it. I also love the company of having another family member at the school. I enjoy getting to walk into my mum’s office with a smile or even into Student Services to see her chatting happily with other staff.
I work at the Main Reception at Sion and it’s lovely being at the College amongst the school community. It’s particularly nice to observe the laughter from my girls and their friends as they walk through the school, simply going about their day. As a newcomer to the school I’m yet to embarrass them…too much!
I’m Bridie and I am a Health, Physical Education and Vocational Major teacher at Sion. Seeing first-hand how hard the Our Lady of Sion staff work to help their students, how much they care, and the opportunities made available to the students at Sion, particularly in the sporting arena and access to the GSV program, it was hard not to want that same experience for my own child. Enroling Annie into Sion for her secondary schooling with so many of her primary school friends was an easy decision. Watching her enjoy the broad opportunities here, feels like it was also the right decision. Annie has never been too phased about me teaching at Sion. She keeps me organised as we are always here early for her sports training. Annie’s presence has certainly raised the stakes at the staff vs student dodgeball matches - unfortunately, she has a much better arm than I do!
I am Annie and I don’t mind mum teaching here. We talked about it a lot before I started, and we thought we’d give it a go together and see how it went. She doesn’t teach my year level and she’s not really that strict, so it’s been fine. I don’t see mum that much at school, but she always has good snacks if I need, and always has spare containers for Food Tech. It’s pretty funny when there are staff vs student matches - my friends and I don’t go easy on mum!
Bridie and Annie Year 8
Breeana, Ruby (Year 9) and Isla (Year 7)
We are thrilled to share another Daughter of Sion being drafted in the AFLW Fremantle Dockers. Congratulations to Georgie Brisbane!
My name is Georgie Brisbane, I graduated in the Class of 2024 at Our Lady of Sion College. I attended the College since Year 7 (2019), and I’ve recently just achieved my dream of pursuing AFLW and lucky enough to move to sunny WA to play for the Fremantle Dockers.
Those who may have known me whilst I was at Sion, would be very aware that I have always had a love for sport. Whether it was athletics, netball, basketball or football. So there was no surprise that the end goal for me would be to have a career in some kind of sport. However, ever since I signed up for my first season in Junior Footy in 2017, it was like I had found my match. Since then I gradually parted ways with the other sports I was playing to commit myself to achieving my dream of getting drafted into the AFLW.
I would be lying if I had said my journey to the Dockers was easy and didn't come with a lot of stress. There were many sacrifices to my outside commitments that had to be made, as well as taking ample amounts of time to develop ways to balance my schooling (in particular Year 12) and football at a high level. What worked for me, was being able to use my resources, whether they were my teachers, coaches, friends or family. Having the ability to use the help around me throughout the years to get to where I wanted, was a crucial part, especially towards the end of last year where I was handling the anticipation of the upcoming draft and my Year 12 exams, two monumental moments.
When my name was called out at pick 14 to the Fremantle Dockers I felt a massive rush of relief over my whole body. Draft day is still the best day of my life, and to hear my name get called out, made all those sacrifices, challenging decisions and hard work worth it. So now over in WA, I’ve been accepted into the Bachelor of Health Sciences with a Major in Disability and Inclusion, I am training with the club and adjusting to the move to WA, all while enjoying discovering every beach possible!
When I reflect on my time at Sion, I know that the Sionian education taught me to not let anything get in the way of achieving my dreams, but to also be humble and grateful for all the resources and opportunities Sion had provided for me along my journey. The College held me in great stead and always showed individualised care for me not only as a student, but as a person.
For all the current students who have aspirations and dreams for their future careers, I would advise to not get comfortable with being in the normality, go above and beyond, commit to yourself, dream and make the sky your limit!
Georgie Brisbane, AFLW Fremantle Dockers
Call out to mentors and Past Student Involvement
Vale
We remember Margaret Presnell, (Class of 1946) 1931 - 2024 and her family in our prayers.
Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
