From the Principal

Hello everyone, I hope you have had a good week.

This week saw the planning of student forums that will be conducted at each year level this term and beyond. We did have ‘have a say days’ at each year level prior to COVID and it is essential we re-instate these, particularly with the events that came to light last week.

The racial vilification that occurred is so far away from what Mornington Secondary College stands for. It was disgusting and extremely upsetting and we continue to listen to our community, and educate students to make it clear that we welcome all at Mornington Secondary College. 

The student forums will provide great insight into what the students think and what we can do to eradicate racism. There will be an extensive education program for all students and staff. There will be consequences for anyone involved in racist behaviours and further support will be provided for anyone requiring it. 

This week a whole school assembly was held to address this issue and to inform students of the focus for the College until further notice will be a ‘safe and orderly learning environment’. The number one priority is to have all students learning in every classroom without being disrupted.

During this assembly all students were informed of the student mobile phone ban and policy. Students were reminded this ban is a Ministerial Order and all students have had plenty of warning of the ban. Students were informed, their phones and ear pods will be confiscated if used during school hours, to be collected at the General Office at the end of the day. Refusal will result in suspension. Students were also informed ear pods are not to be used to listen to music whilst in class. This does not stop music being filtered in the classroom by the teacher for all to listen to whilst students are working on individual projects. 

Only students using EDROLO in Year 12 may use wired earphones only. If they forget their earphones, the Year 12 Coordinators have headphones for borrowing. 

Students were also informed and reminded of the list of minor behaviours that interfere with learning. Parents/guardians will also be notified each time learning is disrupted by one of these behaviours. They include, late to class, no equipment, not completing work, not submitting a learning task, plagiarism, disrupting others, inappropriate language in and out of the classroom, arguing/talking back to a staff member, inappropriate technology use, rough play, littering, roaming and not returning to class, out of uniform, leaving the school grounds and going to the toilet during class time. 

If any student fails to provide their name when asked or walks off on a teacher, the teacher has permission to take a photo purely for identification purposes. This is in line with the Department of Education policy and can be found on our website. If this behaviour escalates to a major behaviour, it will be dealt with according to the classroom management process sent to all families at the beginning of the year.

I appreciate and ask for your support. We are a great school and we are great because of the people; the students, the staff and the families. Our values of Respect, Achievement and Community are what we stand for and they must underpin everything we do every minute of the day. Every student, every staff member has the right to feel safe and happy every single day and I am certain you believe this as well. By working together we can make sure this happens. 

Warm regards,

Linda Stanton

Principal

Important Dates

JUNE

01/06/23 - 8/06/23 | Exams and PAT testing

08/06/23 | Year 12 Fancy Dress

09/06/23 | Staff assessment and reporting - Student free day

12/06/23 | Kings Birthday Public Holiday - Student free day

15/06/23 | GAT day

20/06/23 | Course Information Evening

23/06/23 | Last day of Term 2 - School ends at 2.30pm

JULY

10/07/23 | First day of Term 3

Note:  As you will be aware the 9th of June is a student free day to allow staff to complete assessments and write reports. The front office will also be closed on this day as we are performing a network upgrade which will disable phones and the internet for the day.

Don't forget to look on compass for sport sign ups, excursions and any other information sent to students and parents. 

Below is a link to help guide you in your use of compass.

https://mornsc.vic.edu.au/for-parents/compass-parent-guide/

**Year 7-10 Term three college sports sign ups are now available via link on Compass Newsfeed.

Middle School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our Year 7 students had a fantastic time at camp. They returned to school Friday afternoon feeling tired but happy. Mr Papettas said that his team won the Monster Challenge. He said the students were magnificent as they ran down steep embankments in record time and had to cope with mud and water. Overall, all the students did a great job as they had to complete the ten challenges.  Ms Reeman said it was a fantastic camp and that our students are just wonderful. Thank you to all the staff who attended and participated in the activities too. 

The Year 7 students were also involved in various sports earlier this week. Again, we had great participation and great results. 

Mr Evans, the Senior School Assistant Principal organised for the first of the student forums this week, with some Year 12s and they unpacked recent events and set up opportunities for different year level groups to discuss inclusion at MSC. The Captain’s Council will meet with respective year level leaders and create opportunities for students to share their voice. This will include student voices from Year 7, 8 and 9.

I love the opportunity to see our students in the classroom. Together with the leadership team, I have spent most of the week in classrooms. I have been listening to students explain what they are learning as well as areas they would like to improve. 

I find the students are genuinely keen to explain what they know and understand. They enjoy the opportunity to show their work especially when it is a subject that they really enjoy.

Being organised certainly helps students in their readiness to learn. Thank you, parents, for your support. Again, I have noticed an improvement in students having the correct equipment for class and having their laptop charged.

I have been in classes where students are writing persuasive essays, Maths class converting fractions to decimals and in a History class students were discussing the Gallipoli campaign. I have observed many students using the TEEL template for writing paragraphs especially writing persuasive texts. This structure provides a method for getting your point across: Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, and a Link. 

T -The Topic sentence provides the main idea

E- Provide an Explanation of what you mean in more detail.

E- Provide Evidence or back it up with an example to support your idea. 

L- Link it back to the topic. Make clear how it supports your overall argument.

Wishing you a great week.

Denise Leggett

Middle School Assistant Principal

Senior School

To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,

As this goes to print (bit of an old expression I suppose in this digital age), we will have completed our first day of Year 10 and 11 exams, meaning our students have had their first opportunity to test out the effectiveness of their study skills and see the results of their learning behaviours. All our exams are intended to replicate in many ways, the VCAA end of year exams that students who complete a VCE ATAR pathway undertake. This semester, all exams have been proofread by a senior panel to ensure better consistency in format, structure and for accessibility of students. This is a process we will continue to refine for next semester and beyond.

The first of our student forums ran this week with some Year 12s, where they unpacked recent events and set up opportunities and parameters for different year level groups to discuss inclusion at Mornington Secondary College. I then met with the Captain’s Council of all year level captains on Tuesday at lunchtime. Year Level Captains will now meet with their respective Year Level Leaders to create opportunities for students to share their voice.

While there are only 14 school days remaining this term (with Friday June 9th being a pupil free day and Monday June 12th a public holiday) and several of those being taken up by exams, it is essential that students continue to look after their health and subsequently their healthy learning behaviours. Sleeping for at least eight hours (including being tech free 30 mins before going to bed), eating a good mix of the five food groups, exercising frequently (you can tell I’m old PE teacher) and staying warm as our days get shorter and colder, will all help students be in the best condition for effective learning. 

A few big events are coming up for the Year 12s as well as exams and the commencement of course counselling information in the coming weeks. Highlights/upcoming events for each year level in the last week:

Year 10 and 11

On behalf of all Year 10 teachers would like to wish all of our students the best of luck with their upcoming exams. We hope that they will begin to apply their study skills to prepare for each exam. We ask that students double check their Compass in order to ensure they are arriving in plenty of time for their exams, especially those morning ones that begin at 8:45. All exam events are showing on Compass for students and families. Any missed exams will be rescheduled for students during other parts of the exam period. Students who have a Year 12 SAC clashing with a Year 11 exam are to sit the Year 12 SAC and see their Year Level Coordinators to reschedule the exam.

Students in Year 10 are expected only to attend for their exams and will be permitted to leave after they have finished and are not required on site while they do not have a scheduled exam. For students who wish to stay onsite in between exams there will be access to the V block study area for quiet, individual study. 

Our VCE Vocational Major (VM) students are taking part in interview panels where they will be presenting their reflections on each of their subjects from Unit 1 and then being part of a panel watching another student’s presentation and providing them with feedback. Most VCE VM students are required to attend school for 1-2 periods on one day (either a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday next week).

Year 12 

We are looking forward to the Year 12 Fancy dress event on Thursday, 8th of June from 6:00pm-10:30pm at Frankston Art Centre. 

This is a school event and is for Year 12 Mornington Secondary College students only. The following expectations have been shared with students.

• Students are not to drive their cars to and from the event, parents/guardians are required to drop and pick up students. 
• Students are required to stay until a parent/guardian picks them up at the end of the evening. 
• No bags, other than small clutch-style will be accepted. There will be no facility for larger bags to be placed in a cloakroom. 
• Staff and security will be present on the evening to ensure safety of all. 
• Jacket and bag checks (Clutch-style only) will take place at the entrance of the venue to ensure no unwanted items enter the venue. We ask for student cooperation in this process. 
• If students present in a manner not appropriate for a school event or in possession of any banned items, they will not be allowed entry and will be required to be picked up by a guardian. 
• No ticket refunds will be given for students who are forbidden entry. 

To encourage attendance for the day at school, we are allowing students to depart at the start of lunch that day to get prepared. This will mean that Year 12 classes on June 8th, period 5 will be cancelled. Students are expected to be in attendance at school on the day up until lunchtime (unless they have a medical certificate). 

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Exam season is here

Year 10 and 11 students sat their first exam today. Exam preparation is a crucial aspect of a high school student's academic journey. Effective preparation techniques can not only boost their confidence but also enhance their chances of achieving great results. Below are a few tips that might help students.

Firstly creating a well-structured study schedule is essential. Looking at their exam schedule, students should plan when they will prepare for each topic for each exam. It is advisable to follow a consistent routine to foster discipline and reduce last-minute cramming.

Active learning techniques are highly recommended for efficient exam preparation. Instead of just reading through notes or the textbook, students should engage in active reading by taking notes, highlighting key points, and summarising information in their own words. This practice promotes better comprehension and retention of the material.

Another effective technique is to solve past exam papers or practice questions. This helps students familiarise themselves with the exam format, identify patterns, and understand the types of questions that may be asked. It also enables them to determine how prepared they are and to pinpoint areas that require additional attention.

Group study sessions can be beneficial, as they allow students to discuss concepts, exchange ideas, and clarify doubts. Teaching others can reinforce understanding and improve recall. Additionally, seeking assistance from teachers or classmates when encountering difficulties can provide valuable insights and alternative perspectives. Using Microsoft Teams or visiting teachers at school can really help here.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during exam preparation is often overlooked but vital. Adequate sleep, regular exercise, and balanced nutrition contribute to improved cognitive functioning and concentration. It is crucial to strike a balance between study time and leisure activities to prevent burnout.

Finally, managing exam anxiety is essential. Developing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or meditation can help alleviate stress. Positive self-talk, visualisation, and setting realistic goals can also boost confidence and enhance performance.

Good luck to everyone sitting their exams.

Kind regards,

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal

Staff profiles

Dr Jasmine Keough

My name is Dr Jasmine Keough ,and I am the Leading Teacher for Year 11. This is my fourth year at Mornington Secondary College, and I was a Learning Specialist before taking on this role. 

I used to be a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland before deciding to continue in teaching. I spent time teaching in the juvenile detention centre in Brisbane where my varied experiences have informed my teaching practice today. 

Teaching English Language is my passion, and it thrills me when past students inform me that they want to extend their learning at university.  My main focus for my Year 11 students is to create a culture where students feel safe, welcome and able to learn. I love giving students tokens to encourage them from origami hearts on Valentine’s Day, to Guatemalan worry dolls when students are feeling overwhelmed to lucky charms for their upcoming exams. I always stress that they still have to study even with the tokens! 

I enjoy swimming, and swim every morning at 5.30 am which is amazing as I am so not a morning person! I have a beautiful Groodle, Rama, who is over two years old, and my precious baby. I have young adult children who live in Brisbane; my daughter is a scientist, and my son will be following in my footsteps as a teacher. I look forward to coming to work every day to support my lovely students to achieve their very best.

Amber Taylor

My name is Amber Taylor and I have been at MSC for the past three years. This is my first year coordinating Year 11, and I am really enjoying it. One of the things I love about being a coordinator is building some amazing relationships with our students. I love seeing the amazing things our students do, and hearing about their amazing successes. These are often the highlights of my week!

I am Humanities trained and currently teaching VCE Accounting and Japanese. I am extremely fortunate to be able to teach in these areas, as they are my passions. Prior to becoming a teacher, I was an accountant in Melbourne for 5 years, before moving to Japan to teach English.

Outside of school, I love to spend time with my beautiful groodle puppy Maisy, and watching the Saints.

Mick Williams

Hello, my name is Mick Williams and I am one of the Year 11 Coordinators at MSC. This is my first year of coordination but I am thoroughly enjoying working with this group of students, they have been great this year. 

I am coming up to ten years of teaching, all of those at Mornington Secondary College. Across that journey I have been a member of the core program in Year 7 and 8, the Year 9 Broad Horizons Program, English team and more recently in the Health and Physical Education and Outdoor Education areas. 

I have grown up in Mornington and enjoy being a member of this community. I take great pride in working with the young people from this area and helping them learn and grow. Making connections with the students has often been made easier with links to many football/netball clubs such as South Mornington, Mt. Martha and Mornington as a past player. 

I enjoy seeing all members of the Mornington Secondary College family on the peninsula, whether it be down main street walking their dogs, on the beaches surfing or in a café or restaurant enjoying a nice meal, always feel free to say hello. 

Year 10 textiles 

Teddy bear project. Students learned how to design and make their own teddy bears. It was a tough project for the girls, but I am so proud of their persistence and ability to problem solve and produce these cute little bears. Currently on display in reception for a short time only as their parents are missing them.

Lea Gilbert

Textiles

Division Cross Country 

Congratulations to the MSC Cross Country Team who competed at Division Cross Country at Hastings Foreshore in the cold, wet & windy conditions. All students represented the school extremely well and we were very proud of how each performed in their races. Thank you Johnnie Walker for all his work setting up marquee’s and admin behind the scenes to organise the event.

Some stand out performances from our students today include:

Ethan Sheen 1st place (12/13 Boys)

Rafa Merchan 3rd place (12/13 Boys) 

Baylin Wilcox 1st place (14 Boys)

Jimmy Tiller 4th place (14 Boys)

Juliette Strachan 4th place (15 Girls)

Andrew Turver 1st place (16 boys)

Jackson Linskill 2nd place (16 boys)

Cian Andrews 4th place (16 boys)

Year 7 Interschool Netball

Congratulations to the Year 7 A and B netball teams winning through to the next round.

Alumni news

On Wednesday night one of our past students, Ethan Stanley, was drafted into the AFL to Freemantle as their 8th pick in the midseason draft. He will be joining another previous student Hayden Young at Freemantle. Congratulations Ethan!

Some questions asked by the AFL 

What years did he attend Mornington Secondary?

How was he as a student academically and what sort of subjects did he take? 

What was his attitude towards his schooling like? 

Did he have any leadership positions within the school?

Was he respectful towards his teachers and did he get into much trouble (detentions, suspensions, etc)? 

What was his personality/maturity like around the school, was he well liked and what was his friendship group like? 

Did you have much to do with his family at all and would you be able to speculate how he might handle a move interstate? 

Is he the type of person who would speak up if he was homesick, or struggling with something, or would you have to poke and prod a bit to get that out of him?

Did you have much of a sense of his football or other sporting achievements? 

Do you know of anyone else who would be good to speak to about him who knows him well and would be able to provide another character reference on him? 

Is there anything else that you think would be good for us to know about him if we did draft him – just so we could relocate him and look after him as best we can? 

Umpiring at the MCG

Our Year 10 Coordinator, Alex Malligan, umpired the Auskick kids on the weekend at the MCG. Congratulations Alex!!

Wellbeing

Positive Quotes for the week

To the office staff,

Thank you so much for your support and dedication. I appreciate every little thing you did to support me, from just answering calls and messages, to following up on my requests and questions. Thanks for everything.

Julieann

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram